Social Services Specialist III - Neighborhood Networks

Fairfax County•Department Of Family Services - Multiple Locations, VA

About The Position

The Department of Family Services, Division of Children, Youth and Families, is hiring Social Services Specialist III candidates for its Neighborhood Networks program in locations across Fairfax County. The program partners with select Fairfax County Public Schools and Head Start programs to prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening family and community connections, enhancing protective factors and parental capacities, and promoting self-advocacy and resilience. The position works with families to build parenting skills, support healthy child development and well-being, and create nurturing environments through case management services. Under the general supervision of the Neighborhood Networks Social Services Supervisor, the specialist independently provides prevention-focused services in accordance with local, state, and federal policies. Services include voluntary wraparound case management and home visiting for families referred by schools and community partners. The specialist assesses family strengths, needs, and risks; responds to immediate crises when applicable; helps families overcome barriers and access resources; and supports development of natural support systems. The role also maintains client records, participates in community and multidisciplinary meetings, collaborates with partner organizations, and helps train staff. Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, are required to meet family and community needs. The announcement may be used to fill full-time positions in multiple DFS regions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, or a bachelor’s degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area.
Applicants who do not yet meet the degree requirement must be in the final semester of a qualifying degree program at the time of application.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to complete criminal background, child protective services, and driving record checks to the employer’s satisfaction.
Thorough knowledge of social work principles and practices, current social service issues and approaches, and regulations and guidelines relevant to the assigned specialization.
Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures.
Ability to analyze case information and make sound decisions.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records.
Ability to maintain professional ethics and client confidentiality.
Ability to establish effective working relationships, manage workload and deadlines, and guide, direct, supervise, and coach less-experienced staff.
Ability to provide management and oversight of a program or project.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle for meetings, community events, and client visits in areas not accessible by public transportation.
Ability to navigate stressful and crisis situations; work may involve risks of secondary traumatic stress.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
All duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work (MSW) or a related human services degree.
Three years of professional social work experience.
Prior child welfare and/or case management experience.
Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and networking to access community-based resources.
Experience working with or collaborating with school personnel.
Experience conducting home visits.
Experience with a diverse multicultural population.
Bilingual ability in English and another language is encouraged.
Depending on the assignment, specific certifications or experience may be required before employment or the ability to obtain certification within a specified period.

Responsibilities

Provide voluntary wraparound case management and home-visiting services to families referred by Fairfax County Public Schools and community partners.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of family strengths, needs, and risks, and address immediate crisis needs when applicable.
Help families overcome barriers, access resources, improve overall functioning, and develop formal and informal support systems.
Enter and maintain accurate, timely client records in agency information systems.
Participate in community meetings, promote prevention services, and support community partners.
Facilitate and participate in family service planning and multidisciplinary team meetings in partner schools; implement plans with clear, measurable goals and objectives.
Collaborate with schools, county agencies, community organizations, businesses, and professionals to strengthen family functioning, build support networks, and promote children’s school success.
Assist with training new staff, provide unit training, and provide supervisory coverage as needed.
Work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
Perform other duties as assigned to support child safety, family outcomes, and other Children, Youth and Families program areas.
Conduct home visits for monitoring, counseling, and supervision.
Advocate for and assist families in obtaining social, health, emotional, and economic services and referrals.
Contribute to program protocols, policies, procedures, grants, contracts, service planning, and program data and outcome management as assigned.
Provide guidance, direction, supervision, and coaching to less-experienced staff as needed.
Participate in interagency and multidisciplinary teams, community groups, professional organizations, and Comprehensive Services Act activities as assigned.