Family Services Specialist III

  

Title Description- This the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. The selected candidate will assume complex duties such as interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child abuse/neglect. In addition, the selected candidate will be responsible for out-of-home placements, emergency protective orders, testifying in legal proceedings. The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Family Services Supervisor.

 

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.
• Manages program waiting lists.
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
• Refers families to treatment resources within the community.
• Attends court, testifies in court, and coordinates cases with attorneys.
• Provides parent education and support for families in target population.
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
• 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. 

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- Skills 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.

 

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). 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.