Family Services Specialist I/II - Foster Care Unit

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

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

This Family Services Specialist I/II Position is in our Foster Care Unit.

Depending upon the response to this recruitment, the position may be filled as a Family Services Specialist I or Family Services Specialist II.

Title Description: A Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine entry level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and, at that time, the employee becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan.

A Family Services Specialist II represents the full performance level. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods and basic service level caseloads of Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoptions. Employees perform all tasks independently and seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement.

The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only):

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned;
• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
• Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems;
• Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate;
• Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans;
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
• Manages program waiting lists;
• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;
• Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;
• Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility;
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge: Some knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skills:- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.

Abilities: Demonstrates 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.

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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Prefer work experience in a human services field or an internship in a human services field.

Special Requirements: Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. 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. This position is covered under Code of Virginia 63.2-1601.1 or 63.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit to finger printing and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Other assignments or duties as given by the Director, Services Manager or one of the Services Supervisors to aid the Service Units.

The salary for this full-time position will be commensurate with experience.

Dickenson County Department of Social Services is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, non-discriminating employer and a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.