Family Services Specialist IV

Virginia Department of Social Services•Stevensburg, VA

About The Position

This is a multi-hire position for both the Child Welfare and Adult Services teams. The Family Services Specialist IV (FSS IV) plays a critical role in the agency’s emergency response efforts. The selected candidate must be able to provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies for both Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS). The on-call rotation occurs approximately every 4–5 weeks, ensuring continuous support for vulnerable individuals and families within the community. Title Description –This is the beginning leadership level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees function as a lead worker for subordinate family services specialists and/or acts as an expert resource specialist. Employees 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. Employees may provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments such as individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. The Family Services Specialists IV class is distinguished from the Family Services Supervisor class by the latter’s spending a majority of time in supervisory activities such as handling personnel issues, problems, and evaluating the work of others.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field and a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
Comprehensive knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders; principles and processes for providing customer and personal services to include needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of satisfaction; principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance; and therapeutic treatment technique. Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs. Work experience in a leadership role. Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable
Some knowledge of supervisory practices and principles if required in specific assignment.
Applicants must have a valid Virginia driver’s license without restrictions and the driving record must meet agency standards on or before the hire date
Applicants must also meet a level of insurability set by the agency.
Applicants are subject to a Criminal History Background search, including an FBI Fingerprint Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening.
Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Nice To Haves

Program areas CPS/APS, Foster Care, Adoption
Considerable experience in Adult Services, including Companion Care, Adult Protective Services (APS), and Guardianship. Direct service experience with older adults, adults with disabilities, and children and families is preferred.
Supervisory experience or demonstrated leadership experience overseeing programs such as Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, and Intake.
Extensive knowledge of and experience applying complex federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance.
Experience working with court systems and legal counsel, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Experience with agency software programs such as VaCMS, OASIS, Safe Measures, and PeerPlace.
Direct service experience in areas including Foster Care, CPS, Resource Family Approval, ICPC, Adoptions, Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, Guardianship, Fraud, Companion Care, and UAI screenings is preferred.
Relevant certifications such as CANs Certification, VEMAT Rater, and FPM Facilitator are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Review court reports, service plans, assessments and investigations.
provides guidance, consultation and supervision to other staff in the absence of the supervisor
Assist in preparing court reports, home studies, service plans and APS/CPS dispositions
Provides direct intervention and service delivery for difficult, complex social work cases,
Attends court, testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys.
Screen APS/CPS referrals for validity, Assign Referrals and staff new cases with worker
Conduct field visits
Functions as a lead worker providing guidance and training to other staff; and coordinates program functions, develops programs, and evaluates materials.
Accompany the assigned family services specialist to court
Investigate high profile cases; testify in court proceedings;
Analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;
Stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
Plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence.
Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child/adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations
Provides after hours supervisory on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care