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Form of workTitle Description-
The primary Focus is Child Protective Services. Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as Child Protective Services, Family Support, In-Home, Foster Care and Adoption. Upon completion of the mandatory training and a probationary period, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter's functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.
Family Services Specialist II represents the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically employees perform all tasks independently and only seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level, and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).
Annual Salary: 39,501-80,000
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) -
Engage families and individuals in the development of service plans and offer interventions to preserve the family unit, achieve permanency, and/or maximize self-sufficiency or level of functioning.
Make recommendations to court; ensure all documentation, forms, and reports are entered in to state systems, and completed and maintained in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to a specific area of responsibility; monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned; coordinates services within specific areas of responsibility; interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support system; informs clients of related service program rules/regulations, and right to participate; presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans; provides case management services to monitor compliance; tracks expenditures; prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; 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 areas of expertise.
This position provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Considerable knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.
Education and Experience- 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 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge- Some knowledge of social work principles and practices and community resources; local, state, and federal regulations and mandates, philosophies, and laws regarding the delivery of Child Welfare and adult services; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems. Fundamental knowledge of medical/mental disorders and family dynamics.
Skills- Operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software, in positive and solution based approaches to problem solving.
Abilities- 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license is desirable.
- Prefer experience providing direct services to aged and disabled adults and children and families. Prefer previous work experience in the Local Department of Social Services.
- Prefer work experience in at least one of the following program areas: FC, Adoption, Prevention, CPS, APS, Adult Services. Virginia Learning Center trainings and experience in CPS.
- Prefer experience testifying in court.
Special Requirements:
Applicants must have a valid Virginia driver's license without restrictions and the driving record must meet agency standards on or before the hire date
Applicants must also meet a level of insurability set by the agency.
On-call work, after hours and weekends, are required on a rotating basis, therefore, applicants must live within a 1-hour drive of the agency.
Responsible for shelter duty during times of disaster.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring the 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.
Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, e-mailed, faxed or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.
