Family Services Specialist I

Family Services Specialist I

This position in our Child Protective Services unit doing investigations and family assessments. Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in Child Protective Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-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. 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 Child Protective Services;
• Completes interviews with victim children, alleged abusers and all pertinent collaterals;
• Engages family members to assess safety and wellbeing of children;
• Completes Safety Assessments and Risk Assessments within established time frames;
• Implements Safety Plans as needed;
• Collaborates with family members, service providers and collaterals to schedule and participate in Family Partnership Meetings;
• Documents all types of communications and interactions;
• Coordinates services for children and families;
• 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;
• Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;
• 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 protective services a minimum of one week a month.

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- 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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a Bachelor's degree (see Education and Experience) or be within three months of completion before applying.

Special Requirements: Must be able to perform after hours on call duties a minimum of one week a month. Must be able to staff an emergency shelter during natural disasters or weather events.

Equal Opportunity Employer