Family Services Specialist III

Hiring Range: 39,662 to 57,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Are you interested in making a positive community impact by protecting and serving the adult population in Henry County and City of Martinsville?  We are excited to announce an entry level leadership opportunity to serve as the Family Services Specialist III with the Family Preservation Unit.  Our agency focuses on protection for the most vulnerable, connection to valuable resources, and a high priority of empowerment for the citizens of Henry County and the City of Martinsville.  We offer some flexible work schedules and telework options contingent upon position and business needs.  Experience determines compensation and employer paid insurance is available for employees only. 

We welcome you to apply for the following Family Services position:

General Description:  

This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services Specialists. Employee specializes in program areas and assumes 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. Employee has contacts with others and influences outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Employee monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs; coordinates services within specific area of responsibility; writes service plans to meet identified needs in areas such as physical/mental health, housing, and presents cases to determine appropriate services; tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; interpret 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; 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 reports for court such as guardianship report; 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; conducts studies as companion and pre-admission screenings for nursing home/community-based care and assisted living; 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 foster care; performs investigative duties to include screening referrals for validity and complaint of child/adult abuse, neglect and exploitation; interviews all parties involved, assesses immediate and long-term danger/risks to children/adults; develops written service plan documenting goals, objectives and details of the services being provided in 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; 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.  The Family Services Specialist III may be supervised by the Family Services Supervisor, the Assistant Director, or the Director. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

Minimum of 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 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.  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. 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; 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 service objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency in 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 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. Candidate has a working knowledge of Systems of Care, Wraparound Services, evidenced based treatment modalities, and strengths based family engagement; working knowledge of the Virginia Department of Social Services Practice Profiles (Advocating, Assessing, Collaborating, Communicating, Demonstrating Cultural Diversity Competence, Documenting, Engaging, Evaluating, Implementing, Partnering, and Planning). Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Special Requirements: All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen and CPS and Criminal History Search. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employee must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. This position requires extensive travel and after hours work.

Special Instructions: Applications and/or resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through this website at www.dss.virginia.gov.  Mailed, emailed, faxed or hand delivered applications and/or resumes will not be accepted.  This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Information on the application and/or resume is the primary source used for screening for this position.  Applicants are encouraged to fully represent their qualifications on the application and/or resume.