Foster Care-Adoption Worker

County Of Albemarle • Charlottesville, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Foster Care/Adoption Worker (Family Services Specialist II) works in the Department of Social Services to support children and families, protect children’s safety and well-being, and achieve permanency. The role assesses the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children and families and develops and implements comprehensive psychosocial case plans. The worker provides counseling and crisis intervention, coordinates multidisciplinary services, makes placements in alternative care, and participates in court proceedings. The position also serves as legal guardian for agency foster children and manages required planning, reporting, and financial resources.

The worker regularly interacts with clients, often in their homes and in remote rural areas, and coordinates with public and private agencies such as schools, courts, and clinics. The role requires frequent driving, walking, and standing, occasional overnight travel, and the ability to assist physically dependent individuals. After-hours and weekend emergency coverage is provided on an on-call basis. This position is not eligible for remote work, and County staff must reside in Virginia.

This is a 12-month, full-time, non-exempt, VRS-eligible and benefits-eligible position. The hiring range is $35.70–$39.45 per hour (approximately $74,258–$82,075 per year); starting offers depend on applicable education beyond minimum requirements and internal equity. Applications must be submitted through the Virginia Department of Social Services website. The position is open until Friday, November 6, 2026.

Requirements

• At least a bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate, related experience in a human-services area.
• Experience in the assigned program area and completion of required training programs, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Working knowledge of social work principles and practices; current social, economic, and health problems; institutions and helping-process methods; and individual and group behavior.
• Skill using a personal computer and associated software.
• Ability to identify social problems, client strengths and needs, and clients’ and families’ ability to use services in problem solving.
• Ability to recognize and accept the rights, responsibilities, and differences of others, and to work effectively with individuals and families to help them attain success.
• Ability to plan and organize work and understand and interpret laws, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, professional and technical staff, social agencies, and the public.
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
• Valid appropriate driver’s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and ability to meet the County’s safe-driver-policy eligibility requirements.
• Ability to drive frequently, walk and stand frequently, assist physically dependent individuals, and travel occasionally overnight.
• Willingness to provide after-hours and weekend on-call coverage for emergencies.
• Residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) degree; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Commonwealth of Virginia social work license.

Responsibilities

• Interpret laws, policies, and regulations as they apply to the assigned area.
• Assess the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children and families; develop and implement psychosocial case plans incorporating concurrent planning and relevant treatment approaches.
• Provide direct counseling using family-systems treatment models to strengthen families and prevent family dissolution.
• Lead case management by planning, organizing, and coordinating service delivery among professionals from multiple disciplines.
• Coordinate comprehensive services with mental health, education, legal, medical, and other human services professionals, and ensure service effectiveness.
• Act as legal guardian for agency foster children, including responsibility for their well-being and consent for medical treatment.
• Perform crisis intervention.
• Place children and adolescents in alternative care, including foster homes, group homes, and residential treatment facilities.
• Plan, oversee, and participate in court interventions to protect children and achieve permanency.
• Provide supportive services to promote self-sufficiency and prevent child abuse or neglect and out-of-home placement.
• Write comprehensive psychosocial assessments and service plans.
• Provide on-call after-hours and weekend coverage for emergencies involving child abuse or neglect and situations requiring immediate attention for children in DSS legal custody.
• Complete federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
• Assess, secure, and monitor eligible financial resources for children, such as Social Security and child support.
• Follow funding authorization and service-payment requirements for foster children’s services and maintenance costs.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays.
• Paid vacation leave.
• Paid sick leave.
• Health insurance options with employer contribution.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• VRS retirement.
• Continuing education and training opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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