Family Services Specialist (Childcare

Virginia Department of Social Services • Roanoke, VA

7d

About The Position

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Family Services Specialist in the Childcare division to be responsible for carrying a child care caseload and providing all services needed to ensure families are participating in employment, educational, and job search activities while the children receive quality, age appropriate child care services. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Evaluating customers need for child care services, learning complex and detailed program requirements that vary based on the families need for services, type and location of provider, hours of child care, learning funding categories, managing electronic files/cases, working closely with the child care vendor to ensure high quality services meet the family’s needs. This position will also share a 24-hour on-call rotation for back-up for Child/Adult Protective Services Hot Line.
Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university with a degree in the human services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bilingual, Spanish/English speakers encouraged to apply.
NOTE: If you do not hold a State of Virginia Drivers License, you will be required to provide a certified copy of a DMV report from the state of previous residence before you can be considered for this position.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is a non-exempt position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university with a degree in the human services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as laws, policies, regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Must be willing to work outside normal work hours and respond to both routine and emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual, Spanish/English speakers encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Supports and assists agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs.
• Interviews clients to assess the nature and extent of needs
• Identifies problems, counsels with clients and confers with supervisor in preparing social studies in the formulation and delivery of service plans
• Maintains records through the course of client's service relationships with agency
• Makes referrals for service to agencies, such as clinics, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc
• Performs work with agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts, circuit courts, etc
• Provides protection and care to abandoned, abused and neglected children and adults on a regular and emergency basis in potentially dangerous situations
• Works with abusive or neglecting parents and families to help effect changes in family situation, usually in a family home setting
• Makes decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and recommendations regarding institutionalization of adults and children
• Studies homes for day care, foster care of adoption placement and/or foster care and adoptive placements
• Maintains case records, prepares written reports of services, findings and actions
• Serves as agency representative on a variety of multi disciplinary teams
• Shares a 24-hour on-call rotation
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply

What This Job Offers

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