Family Services Specialist - Foster Care

Salary : $50,544.00 - $67,267.20 Annually
Location : Charlottesville, VA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 231200006-1
Department: Social Services Department
Opening Date: 02/20/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: N/A
General Summary
*Position re-advertised, previous candidates need not re-apply*
Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community. The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for the position of Family Services Specialist - Foster Carewho are highly motivated and who strive for success by demonstrating Charlottesville's Core Values of Leadership, Trust, Creativity, Respect, and Excellence.
The preferred hiring amount is between $24.30 - $32.34 Hourly ($50,544.00 - $67,267.20 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement (up to $34 a month), tuition reimbursement (up to $3,000 per fiscal year), and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

This position performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs with casework focused on the families and children who are in Foster Care. Work involves issues of abuse/neglect, family violence, children with special needs, children and teens who are court-involved; does related work as required and/or performs clinical work. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Social Services Family Services Supervisor.
Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Assesses needs of clients and families which may include but is not limited to
  • Investigates referrals
  • Interviews clients and family members as needed,
  • Takes applications for services,
  • Determines service eligibility,
  • Works with and counsels clients,
  • Provides protection and care to abandoned, abused or neglected children and adults
  • Makes appropriate referrals for services,

Prepares social studies in the formulation, delivery and assessment of service plans, and prepares related documentation.

Makes field visits to client residences and assesses/monitor situation and/or progress.

Assists and supports clients in problem-solving and in their use of agency and other resources.

Makes referrals to clients, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.

May identify homes suitable for adoption.

Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.

Performs work with specific ancillary agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts.

Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to clients.

Testifies in court proceedings and makes recommendations to petitions to legal authorities.

Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups and associations.

Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations.

Maintains case records and prepares statistical and other reports and documentation.

Processes financial documentation related to client services.

May diagnose (based on a recognized manual of mental and emotional disorders or recognized system of problem definition) and provide psychotherapy and counseling (for mental disorders, substance abuse, marriage and family dysfunction, and problems caused by social and psychological stress or health impairment) if licensed.

Will be included in on-call rotation and expected to respond within agency time-frame.

May assist in the training of other staff, volunteers and student interns..

May be asked to work during emergency operations as outlined in department continuity of operations plan.

Performs related tasks as required.

Education, Experience and Skills
Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimally requires a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field. (Or minimally, a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two (2) years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services may be substituted as equivalent.)
  
• Requires general knowledge of: social, economic and health problems; individual and group behavior; child, adolescent, adult and geriatric behavior and the practices and techniques of interviewing, counseling and investigating problems; principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, family service, employment services, public assistance and/or protective service work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
  
• Preference for experience in Foster Care with a public agency during the past five (5) years.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or qualified and able to obtain a valid VA driver's license prior to beginning the position. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/faq.aspx?qid=166)
  
• Possession of all requirements for entry level as specified by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Skills: Also requires ability to: identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability of individuals and families to utilize services in problem-solving; plan and organize work and to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations; communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies, and the general public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; prepare reports and maintain records.
Physical Conditions & Additional Information
Work occurs in an office setting, and may also occur in client homes, meetings and collaboration in other community agencies, and involvement in court hearings. Frequent contacts with individuals, families, extended families and other stakeholders, other professionals and paraprofessionals requiring skill and tact in dealing with sensitive, controversial and confidential material. Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances. May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.
A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search. Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may be conducted if applicable.
Please note: The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is unable to hire any applicant, intern, or volunteer if the criminal record check reveals a conviction for, or arrest awaiting final disposition of a barrier crime as set forth in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia. Please click here for the list of barrier crimes:
Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated July 1, 2022
Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
1. LEAVE:

• Vacation:
  • 3.09 hours accrued biweekly -- 0 - <3 years
  • 3.85 hours accrued biweekly -- 3 - <5 years
  • 4.62 hours accrued biweekly -- 5 - <10 years
  • 5.40 hours accrued biweekly -- 10 - <15 years
  • 6.16 hours accrued biweekly -- 15 - <20 years
  • 6.93 hours accrued biweekly -- 20 - <25 years
  • 7.70 hours accrued biweekly -- 25+ years

Sick:

• 4.62 hours per biweekly pay period, approximately 120 hours a years, no limit on accumulation

Holidays:

• 14 paid holidays per calendar year (13 observed and 1 floating)

2. INSURANCE:

• Aetna Medical -
  • Choose from three options with different premiums and levels of coverage and coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire:
    • HMO: $0 premium for employee only coverage
    • POS 1: Employee-only premium of $36.28 per biweekly pay
    • POS 2: Employee-only premium of $13.02 per biweekly pay
      • (Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.)

Prescription Card ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand, $55 higher cost name brand)

Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60 lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand)

• Dental (Delta Dental)
  • No cost for employee only coverage. Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.
  • Diagnosis and Preventive -- 100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care - 80%; Major Dental Care - 50%
  • Primary -- $50 deductible, 80/20
  • Prosthetic & Complex Restorative -- $50 deductible, 50/50
  • $1,500 maximum annual benefit
  • $1,000 Orthodontic Benefit

MetLife Vision Plan: Optional

• Employee only coverage: $2.50 bi-weekly; Dependent coverage also available at differing rates.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay;
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life:

• Two times annual salary (paid by the City)
• Optional supplemental life available for employee, spouse, dependents (paid by employee)

AFLAC: Optional

• Cancer/accident/short term disability/intensive care insurance (paid by employee)

• Long Term Disability
  • Protection from income loss due to long-term illness or injury (paid by the City)

3. RETIREMENT: The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS. There are certain provisions that must be met and the portability request must be executed within 18 months of vesting in the City's Plan.

• Pension:
  • Choose from two options:
    • A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5 year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
    • A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note that: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees)

• Supplemental:
  • Deferred Compensation (457) - employee contribution

4. OTHER BENEFITS:

• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Health Care Expenses
  • Dependent Care Expenses
  • Parking/Mass Transit Expenses
  • Parking Subsidy of $50 per month

Wellness Programs:

• Gym Reimbursement Program
• Monthly On-Site Nurse and Annual Flu Shots
• Health Screenings and Fairs, Education Sessions, & Weekly Fitness Classes
• Weight Watchers at Work

Bike Commuter Program:

• Reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable bike commuting expenses

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement Program:

• Up to $1,500 for undergraduate OR Up to $3,000 for graduate level tuition per fiscal year per employee.

01
Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field?

• Yes
...