Family Services Specialist IV - Foster Care/Adoption

City of Lynchburg (VA)•Lynchburg, VA

48d

About The Position

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer The Foster Care and Adoption team is seeking a qualified and energetic candidate to serve as a lead worker for the unit. The employee will perform difficult professional work specializing in foster care, adoption, and the assessment of appropriate permanency planning and concurrent planning options for children and families. The employee will serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up supervision of staff. Employee may take the lead on and provide consultation on complex cases. Employee will work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in the human services field or a bachelor's degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years appropriate and related experience.
Individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.
To be considered for promotion, individuals must meet the above requirements or have four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all required training related to the promotional area.
Must possess a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable according to City criteria.
Must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen and Child Protective Services Registry check.
Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

Responsibilities

Serves as lead worker for the Foster Care/Adoption unit
Assigns, supervises, counsels, monitors and evaluates the work of Family Services Specialists and participates in the more difficult cases
Provides guidance and training in program areas to other employees
Writes and reviews court reports, home study evaluations, letters, presentations, and general information
Assesses clients' needs, and formulate plan of action
Communicates effectively both orally and in writing
Manages high profile cases
Testifies in court proceedings
Develops and presents training programs and other presentations
Interprets program laws, policies and regulations
Develops and implements service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client
Analyzes case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations
Responds to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives
Develops speeches and represents the agency on program training and workshops
Works in stressful situations and maintains diplomacy
Plans and manages own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with others
Stays abreast of current trends and developments in the social work and child welfare field
Performs duties of supervisor in conjunction with and/or in the absence of the supervisor
Responds to citizen inquiries concerning departmental unit services or the lack of services
Makes comprehensive assessment of families/clients in crisis
Analyzes needs and coordinates resources, which will support the family/client
Develops and implements a plan of action for the family/client which directly involves family/client input
Engages family/client and community in problem solving, conflict resolution and achieving goals in order to resolve the crisis
Stabilizes and improves family/client living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to collateral resources
Executes complex and critical decisions involving families/clients in crisis, under possible adverse conditions
Performs scheduled and unscheduled field visits in frequently highly volatile and dangerous environments
Participates in extensive networking and collaboration with community and professional agencies, both public and private
Provides analysis, recommendations and testimony in complex court proceedings, which requires thorough assessment and documentation of the family/client's situations; assists in formulating recommendations on difficult and important technical problems relating to the court action
Interprets, implements and administers complex policies, regulations, and laws, and refines established complex procedures which require frequent independent thinking and resourcefulness in a complex environment
Monitors special funds and authorizes expenditures for families and individuals in crisis
Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to families/clients
Processes financial documentation related to family/client services
Identifies homes suitable for placement of children
Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations, and participates in meetings of local and state organizations as representative of the department to explain programs, services, regulations, etc.
Transports clients to medical and mental health appointments
Assists in the operation of emergency shelters.
Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.