Program Specialist #W1436 (Child & Family Service Review) - Central Region

Title: Program Specialist #W1436 (Child & Family Service Review) - Central Region

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist II

Hiring Range: Up to $70,446/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Family Services (DFS) is currently seeking a Program Specialist. The Program Specialist position will promote efficiency and accountability in program operations and service delivery. Duties include but are not limited to: serving as a team member who is a reviewer of Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) in the Central Region to ensure casework practices and case file documentation are in compliance with federal and state law and policy; reviewing, analyzing, and conducting case reviews within the local departments of social services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for compliance; monitoring and developing corrective action plans resulting from case reviews; providing technical assistance by responding to emails and calls from local departments of social services regarding the CFSR process and expectations; development and revision of policies and procedures; and analysis and interpretation of state and federal laws and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Understanding of child welfare programs, to include Child Protective Services (CPS), In-Home, and Foster Care.
• Comprehensive experience working on or leading project teams and providing training.
• Comprehensive knowledge of and experience applying complex federal and state laws relevant to child welfare.
• Documented experience interpreting, analyzing, and monitoring complex issues.
• Considerable experience in the use of personal computer desktop applications to include MS Office.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff and external federal and state partners.
• Extensive travel within the Central Region; Occasional overnight travel and/or travel across regions.
• Experience with planning, organizing, and managing own time and work.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Understanding and knowledge of the organization’s purpose and mission.
• Ability to fulfill the needs of internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to make professional judgments and precise decision making.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, work responsibilities, and work environments.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships; exchange ideas and opinions.
• Ability to motivate, influence, and support others to accomplish team and organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Additional Considerations

• Child welfare case experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with CFSR, QA, and quality case review processes preferred.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Frequent in-state, overnight travel may be required. Selected candidate(s) may be required to use their personal vehicle or state vehicle as available for business use.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.