Family Services Specialist - Part-Time

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Under limited supervision, this part-time position facilitates, coordinates, and provides leadership in the counseling and case management aspects of multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department. The primary designation will be in the Permanency unit, but completion of training in all areas of the Family Services Division is a requirement upon hire. Staff may be required to perform duties in other areas of the Family Services Division. The role may coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for daily activities and outcomes. Tasks include screening clients, explaining social work service programs, determining and pursuing necessary actions to meet client needs, counseling clients, and providing or assisting in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance. The position also involves investigating allegations of abuse and neglect, maintaining records and case files, and preparing required reports.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.
Working knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and a personal computer.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resources as needed.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to the client/family.
Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations.
Demonstrated ability to respond to the client’s emotions to accomplish services objectives.
Demonstrated ability to plan and manage own work activities, including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record-keeping responsibilities, and related activities.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships.
Demonstrated ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in the human services field.
Requires a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in the Human Service field with moderate to extensive experience in the same; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Working knowledge of case management and crisis intervention practices.
Experience managing caseloads involving vulnerable populations.
Working knowledge of Social Services Permanency/ APS policies and procedures.
Experience as a Senior Family Services Worker.
Experience handling progressively enhanced assignments routinely.
Experience performing on-call duties.

Responsibilities

Facilitates, coordinates, and provides leadership in counseling and case management.
Screens clients and explains social work service programs.
Determines and pursues necessary action to meet client needs.
Counsel clients.
Provides or assists in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance.
Investigates allegations of abuse and neglect.
Maintains various records and case files.
Prepares required reports.
May coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for daily activities and outcomes.
May be required to perform duties in other areas of the Family Services Division.
Willing to work disaster related assignments, including emergency shelter duty, in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.