Family Services Specialist III

Job Description

This position functions as a worker in the Child Protective Services Prevention (In-Home) Unit and will be responsible for carrying a caseload consisting of In-Home and On-Notices cases. This position is responsible for the following case management tasks to include: participating in Family Team Meetings, identifying and assessing safety concerns, developing goals and activities to meet those goals; responsible for conducting risk assessments, risk re-assessments, safety assessments, candidacy determination, CANS and developing and creating service plans with the family and demonstrate ability to develop treatment plans which identify problems, clinical methods for dealing with them, and the means by which services will be provided either within the agency or through referral to other community resources; prepares and submits budget sheets to ensure timely service delivery to families; interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility; completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements; establishes and maintains case records to include entering and updating information regarding caseload within the automated system. This position will assist with transport and supervision for children and families as needed; serves as resource to clients and community works cases jointly with law enforcement; represents the agency in both civil and criminal court proceedings which involves interpreting laws, filing petitions, preparing court records, testifying before the court, preparing witnesses for examination, and compiling evidence; provides direct intervention and service delivery for difficult, complex social work cases; may participate in committees as a representative of the agency. Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; Must be willing to work outside normal working hours, including being on-call for emergencies to include holidays and weekends. Must have a valid driver’s license with good driving record.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field and 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 knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behaviors and motivational theory; laws policies and regulations related to human services program areas, and social, economic and health problems.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Must possess a valid driver’s license for at least two years.

Preferred Qualifications

Considerable experience in Child Protective Services and/or CPS In Home Services and completion of any required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Considerable experience with Family Partnership Meetings and Child and Family Team Meetings

Experience in the utilization of Motivation Interviewing skills

Bilingual English/Spanish Skills

BSW/MSW Degree

Special Requirements

All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, finger printing, 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 in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Employee must be willing to provide on-call coverage and response to emergencies at least 5 x per month. This may include holidays, weekends and after-hours.