Family Services Specialist 1/2 @ Virginia Department of Social Services

Title Description- Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/’Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, 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 is 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 in Employment Services and Child Care, and basic service level caseloads of Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoptions. 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.

General work tasks for Family Services Specialist I include, but not limited to: interpreting 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 rules/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 list. Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services. Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements. 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.

General work tasks for Family Services Specialist II include, but not limited to: 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 rules/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, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for 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; Services as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skills- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.

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.

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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Minimum Qualifications: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in 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 field as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.

Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior and motivational theory, and social, economic, and health problems. Knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas and legal procedures as related to program area. Skill in operating a motor vehicle and possess a valid Virginia driver's license on or before the first of day of employment with a favorable driving record. Skill in operating a personal computer with associated software; preferably Microsoft Office. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client. Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgements within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations. Ability to respond to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish services objectives. Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Preferred Qualifications: Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and/or a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker License. Prefer previous experience working with social work principles and practices. Prefer experience with agency associated software. Prefer experience in foster care and/or child protective services and completion of required training programs.

Special Requirements: All applicants are subject to a DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, Central Registry (CPS) check and/or criminal history search.

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.

Employee must be willing to work outside regular work hours and in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Family Services Specialists are required to participate in an on-call schedule and must be able to respond within 30 minutes.

This position if 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.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Based on the response to this posting, this position may be filled as a Family Services Specialist I/II. Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience and qualifications on the application. Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application. YOUR RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ATTACHED WILL BE CROSS-REFERENCED WITH THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED IN THE BODY OF YOUR APPLICATION. Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position. Applications must include complete work history, including periods of unemployment if applicable.

Contact Information:

Kimberly F. Gregory

434-848-2142 ext. 6879

Family Services Specialist 1/2

Multiple Teams

Virginia Department of Social Services