Virginia Department of Social Services

Human services for Virginians

Family Services Specialist 1

Case Management & AdvocacyConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeMartinsville, VA, USA$55k - $79.1kIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, or a Bachelor's degree in any field plus at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area, as specified by Virginia regulation.
Some knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior and motivational theory, and social, economic, and health problems.
Skill in operating a motor vehicle and a personal computer with associated software.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; interview and assess needs; counsel and refer clients; develop and implement service plans; make sound judgments within applicable laws, policies, and regulations; respond appropriately to clients' emotions; plan and manage work activities, service delivery, reporting, correspondence, and record keeping; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay current with social work developments.
Must undergo applicable criminal history, central registry, driving record, and/or pre-employment drug screening.
Must participate in a rotating after-hours on-call schedule and be willing to work in the community emergency shelter during a natural disaster or emergency.

Responsibilities

Interpret laws, policies, and regulations within the assigned area of responsibility.
Monitor, coordinate, and administer assigned programs and coordinate services within the area of responsibility.
Interview clients and assess their needs and relevant factors, including education and skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
Inform clients about related service program rules, regulations, and participation rights.
Present cases to determine appropriate services and write and implement service plans.
Provide case management services to monitor compliance and manage program waiting lists.
Track expenditures, prepare and submit budget estimates, and ensure payment for services.
Complete federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
Coordinate with other agencies and participate in multidisciplinary and interagency service teams.
Monitor programs within the assigned area of responsibility and serve as a resource to clients and the community.
Provide after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies involving child or adult protective services and/or foster care.

Desired Qualifications

Possession of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Possession of a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is preferred.

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.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –

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;
Serves 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 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).

Preferred Qualifications:- Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Prefer Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).

Special Requirements:- Applicants will be subjected to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. Employee will be required to participate in afterhours on-call schedule on a rotating basis. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants:- Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience, either paid or unpaid, and qualifications on the application.

CONSIDERATION FOR AN INTERVIEW IS BASED SOLELY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN THIS APPLICATION.

Minimum Salary: $55,000

Maximum Salary: $79,088

About the Company

Virginia Department of Social Services

Human services for Virginians

Virginia Department of Social Services is the state agency that designs and administers human-service programs for people and families across Virginia. Its responsibilities include food and energy assistance, foster care and adoption, child support, licensing, and abuse and neglect prevention. The department works with local social-services agencies and community partners to deliver benefits, protection, and family support. The agency spans benefits administration, protection, family services, regulation, and statewide oversight while providing policy, systems, funding, training, and operational support to Virginia’s locally administered social-services network.

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