Family Services Specialist I (Petersburg)

Hiring Range: $36,993 to $79,088

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.
• Some knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software (Microsoft Office including Word and Excel).
• Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree is desirable.
• Working knowledge of the Practice Profiles (Advocating, Assessing, Collaborating, Communicating, Demonstrating Cultural and Diversity Competence, Documenting, Engaging, Evaluating, Implementing, Partnering and Planning).
• Experience working with families to prevent out of home placements.
• Demonstrated ability to provide Court testimony.
• Considerable knowledge and/or public child welfare experience: Child Protective Services (CPS), Foster Care, In-Home, Adoption.
• Experience in a local VA DSS with Foster Care or CPS case management as a Family Services Specialist or like position.
• Experience working directly with diverse groups of clients, co-workers and community agencies, in a criminal justice and/or human services setting.
• Experience working with families that have been impacted by substance abuse disorders and/or generational poverty.

Special Requirements
This position is covered under Code of Virginia §63.2- 1601.1 or §63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Virginia Child Abuse Central Registry. Applicants may be subject to additional background checks including a DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screening, local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment), and other checks as determined necessary and appropriate to the position to be filled.

• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
• Employee will be required to participate in afterhours on call schedule on a rotating basis and must be willing to work in community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency, or work during unscheduled office closures.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, e-mailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete relevant listing of work experience and qualifications in the applicable sections of application. Selection of candidates for interviews is based upon the information contained in the application package.

Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Please refer back to your account for the status of your application. No phone calls will be accepted.