Family Services Specialist III

Virginia Department of Social Services • Rustburg, VA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

This is a sensitive and essential position that investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect. The role involves interviewing individuals in cases of suspected child abuse/neglect and testifying in legal proceedings. The specialist will coordinate services for families and children to promote well-being and safety, and conduct interviews to gather data on social, emotional, health, and economic circumstances. Responsibilities include providing court-ordered home studies and conducting work in both office and field settings. The position also requires providing shelter duty during emergencies and natural disasters. The ideal candidate will be a professional with a positive attitude, a team player, and maintain ongoing working relationships within the agency and community. This position may be supervised by a CPS Supervisor, Assistant Director, or Director.

Requirements

• Knowledge of social work principles and practices.
• Knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas.
• Knowledge of investigating and interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of legal procedures as related to program area.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, agency vehicles, fax and copy machines.
• Ability to work within multiple computer programs.
• Ability to answer the telephone and obtain relevant information from phone contacts.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed.
• Ability to investigate high risk cases.
• Ability to testify in court proceedings.
• Ability to interpret program laws, policies and regulations.
• Ability to develop and implement service plans to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to the client.
• Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy.
• Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
• Ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field OR a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two (2) years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.
• Completion of all mandated courses and maintain certifications to provide services.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.
• Interviews individuals in cases involving suspected child abuse/neglect.
• Testifies in legal proceedings.
• Coordinates services for families and children to promote well-being and safety.
• Conducts interviews to gather data regarding social, emotional, health, and economic circumstances.
• Provides court-ordered home studies.
• Conducts work in the office and the field.
• Provides shelter duty in times of emergencies and natural disasters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level