Family Services Specialist III

Hiring Range: 39,662 to Commensurate w/ experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

The Floyd County Department of Social Services is nestled in Floyd County, a unique mountain community known for its natural beauty, music, arts, and diverse, caring people.  It is the mission of the Floyd County Department of Social Services (DSS) to eliminate poverty, abuse, and neglect through the design, implementation, coordination, and provision of quality services to the families and children of Floyd County.  We are currently looking for a Family Services Specialist III to join our Child Protective Services team. The primary role of this position is working with children and families assessed as needing in-home and family support services.  Floyd County DSS is a small, Level One agency that functions with a family team approach.  We offer a full employee benefits package, to include:

• Health insurance packages with no single portion monthly premium effective after your first month of employment;
• Family/Personal & Sick Leave balances awarded on your first day of employment;
• Participation in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS);
• Participation in the ICMA Retirement Defined Contribution Plan;
• Fifteen paid holidays;
• Flexible work schedule to include telework options (depending on position and employee status);
• Life Insurance; and
• Additional “optional” benefit packages are available.

Title Description-  

This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume 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; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Additionally, in some agencies, positions may be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services in addition to other program areas. The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker, or an expert resource specialist.

Floyd County DSS offers a 10% differential in starting pay for applicants holding a Masters level degree in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).

Floyd County DSS offers a 5% differential in starting pay for applicants trained and certified in the Child First curriculum required to complete child forensic interviews.  

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) – 

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs;
• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
• Writes service plans, and presents cases to determine appropriate services;
• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;
• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;
• Manages program waiting lists;
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
• Provides foster care casework services;
• Trains foster parents; submits progress reports to the court;
• Refers families to treatment resources within the community;
• Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and for visitation with families;
• Attends court, testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys;
• Provides parent education and support for families in target population;
• Conducts intensive in-home counseling; prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions;
• Interviews and assesses clients and assigns to appropriate groups;
• Informs clients of service programs and the rules and regulations, and right to participate;
• 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;
• Performs investigative duties to include screens referrals for validity;
• Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long-term dangers/risks to children;
• Develops written services plan documenting goals, objectives and details of the services provided for each case;
• Provides program administration and caseload management services;
• Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals;
• Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances;
• Serves as support for the family; files petitions;
• Testifies in criminal and civil cases; prepares court ordered home assessments and custody home studies;
• Establishes and maintains case records;
• Codes, enters and updates new and on-going cases in the state computer information system; and
• Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child/adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Minimum Qualifications):

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.

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

Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Considerable knowledge of the VDSS Child Protective Services program to include the mandated VDSS training required to act in the role of Family Services Specialist III.  Working knowledge of the VDSS family services database known as OASIS.  Certification through the VDSS to perform motivational interviewing as required to receive title IV-E funds reimbursement.   

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.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screening.  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.  All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.  May require reporting for shelter duty during emergencies and disasters.  Driving record must meet agency standards.  

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applications and or resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through the website.  Mailed, e-mailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or resumes will NOT be accepted.  The website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application/resume is submitted for consideration.  Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.  

For questions about this job posting, please contact:

J. Chad Alls

540-745-9319

chad.alls@dss.virginia.gov