Family Services Specialist - Foster Care/Adoption Worker

Job Summary/Objective:

Performs responsible, equitable, and professional casework in an inclusive team environment in accordance with established social work/counseling principles. Uses an asset-based approach to engage with the client system in developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and applicable program policies. Supports and assists clients with safety, personal, family, social, health, and economic needs. Empowers the client/family to attain their highest level of self-sufficiency. As an organization, ACDSS is committed to building a diverse team of contributors who believe and work from the foundation of our core values of equity and inclusion, hope, respect, opportunity, and self-determination. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience and internal equity.

Essential Functions: 

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility. 
• Assesses cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children and their families, and develops and implements sophisticated psychosocial case plans which integrate psychodynamic, systemic, medical, and social-ecological intervention approaches. 
• Provides direct counseling, applying family-systems treatment models to complex family situations, in such a way as to strengthen families and prevent family dissolution. 
• Plans, oversees and participates directly in court intervention to protect children and to achieve goals of safety, permanency and well-being of children.
• Informs clients of specific and related service programs, rules/regulations, and right to participate.
• Presents cases in supervisory, team and other settings to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans.
• Provides case management services and monitors outcomes of services.
• Assesses, secures, and monitors financial resources for which the child is eligible (e.g. social security, child support, etc.).
• Follows the requirements for funding authorization and service payments for services for children and their families.
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements, including documentation entered into OASIS.
• Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers.
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
• Provides coverage after hours and on weekends, on a rotating on-call basis, for emergencies involving abuse or neglect of children and adolescents, and for situations requiring immediate attention regarding children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services.
• Participates in staffing of emergency shelters as required.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned. 

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

• Working knowledge of social work principles and practices;
• Knowledge of social, economic and health problems; institutions and the methods of the helping process; individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development, family structure and dynamics, the impact of handicapping physical and mental conditions on families, and crisis intervention.
• Skill in using personal computer with associated software;
• Ability to identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability to individual and families to utilize services in problem solving;
• Ability to accept the rights, responsibilities and differences of others;
• Ability to work effectively through counseling and other methods with individuals and families in helping them solve their problems;
• Ability to plan and organize work;
• Ability to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations;
• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies and the general public; 
• Ability to plan and organize work;
• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records. 

Required Education and Experience:

• 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.
• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Work license are desirable. Masters preferred. 

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Workers in this position are required to drive and they must meet eligibility requirements of the County’s safe driver policy.
• Administers work to the public, frequently in home settings, including remote rural areas.
• Involves office-based work for purposes of documentation and data entry. • Frequent contacts with clients and their families; coordination with professionals and representatives of other public and private agencies (i.e. school, courts, clinics, etc.) are required.
• Involves frequent driving, walking, standing.
• Must be able to assist physically dependent individuals. 

Remote Work: 

This position is not eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

Albemarle County Core Values: 

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through

Community:  We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission. 

Integrity:  We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation:  We embrace creativity and positive change. 

Stewardship:  We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning:  We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth

**PLEASE INCLUDE COVER LETTER, RESUME AND THREE REFERENCES

Contact Information:

For questions related to this posting, please contact: Kiersten Trader 

[email protected]

Minimum Salary: $74,258

Maximum Salary: $82,075