Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services•Lovingston, VA

About The Position

This position will be trained to specialize in CPS In Home Services, not to exclude Foster Care, Adult Protective Services, Adult Services, Child Protective Services, and Adoption. Based upon response to this posting, this position may be filled as a Family Services Specialist I or a Family Services Specialist II. Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience and qualifications on the application form. A Family Services Specialist I represents entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine entry level casework activities and the casework is usually reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing case action. A Family Services Specialist II represents the full performance level. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and basic service lever caseloads of Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoptions. Employees perform all tasks independently and seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
Working knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
After hours on-call for adult and child protective services
Must live within 50 mile radius of the office
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.
All Offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience with the Department of Social Services is desirable.
Previous experience working with social work principles and practices.
Previous experience working with children and families involved with foster care.

Responsibilities

Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility
Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned
Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility
Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems
Informs clients of related service programs rule/regulations, and right to participate
Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans
Provides case management services to monitor compliance
Manages program waiting lists
Tracks expenditures, prepare/submits budget estimate and ensures payment of services
Completes necessary federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements
Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers
Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility
Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care
Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.