Senior Family Services Specialist - Adult Services

Chesterfield County • Chesterfield, VA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is hiring a Senior Family Services Specialist- Adult Services to conduct investigations of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults over the age of 60 and disabled persons over the age of 18 in Chesterfield and Colonial Heights. The role supports the customer's right to make choices and assists in maximizing independence. The position carries a caseload of Adult Services and Adult Protective Services cases. Responsibilities include investigating allegations by asking vulnerable adults personal or difficult questions related to their safety and/or risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The specialist will conduct assessments, long term care screenings for adults and children, monitor companion services and guardian reports, and develop service plans. They will make appropriate referrals or provide needed guidance to facilitate solutions to specific problems, and engage and empower adults to identify their strengths and skills in addition to problem-solving ways to make positive changes. The role requires learning local, state, and federal regulations and staying up to date as things change. The specialist will help customers connect with community resources to receive the services they need and educate the public on the needs and concerns of this adult population. Other work as required is also part of the duties.

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 (Section 22 VAC 40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia) required.
• Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities required.
• Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required.
• Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months.
• Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview.
• Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.
• Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.
• A Chesterfield County application is also required and must be submitted online by the deadline.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license preferred.
• Knowledge of adult services programs in public social services in Virginia preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include the ability to interact with a culturally diverse population.
• Consistently excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to build relationships and foster a sense of team both inside the agency and externally.
• Independent, creative, critical thinker with good judgment for making decisions.
• Strong computer and typing proficiency.
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict; assertiveness and confidence when being challenged.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults over the age of 60 and disabled persons over the age of 18.
• Support the customer's right to make choices and assist in maximizing independence.
• Carry a caseload of Adult Services and Adult Protective Services cases.
• Investigate allegations by asking vulnerable adults personal or difficult questions related to their safety and/or risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Conduct assessments and long term care screenings for adults and children.
• Monitor companion services and guardian reports.
• Develop service plans.
• Make appropriate referrals or provide needed guidance to facilitate solutions to specific problems.
• Engage and empower adults to identify their strengths and skills in addition to problem-solving ways to make positive changes.
• Learn local, state, and federal regulations, and stay up to date as things change.
• Help customers connect with community resources to receive the services they need.
• Educate the public on the needs and concerns of this adult population.
• Perform other work as required.
• Be part of an Emergency Shelter Team during times of natural disaster, reporting to shelter duty as required.

Benefits

• Attractive benefits package.
• Potential for incentives, approved through the Virginia Department of Social Services, to candidates hired who possess additional relevant training, skills and experience.
• Incentives apply to individuals who possess: a master's or bachelor's degree in social work, master's degree in human services, LCSW designation, Child Welfare Stipend participants, completion of COVLC new worker training or those who are bilingual (English/Spanish or American Sign Language).
• Part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications, and experience.
• Credit towards the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

What This Job Offers

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