Family Services Specialist I

Family Services Specialist I

Under direct supervision, performs social work and case management in the provision of services for families referred directly from Child Protective Services, Foster Care or Adult Protective Services. Employee is responsible for assessing the strengths and needs of high-risk families or individuals. Providing comprehensive services to address concerns regarding safety, risk of abuse and neglect and/or prevention services. Workers will perform case management, provide crisis intervention, assess client needs, coordinate provision of needed services, and maintain accurate case records. Work will regularly involve coordination, referral and collaboration with other community service providers and professionals.

This position is essential. While typical office hours are expected, employees must be flexible in meeting the needs of the clients on their caseload. 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.

Special Duties & Responsibilities include:

• Informing clients of program regulations and their right to participate or to be provided services.
• Interpreting laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Interviewing and assessing clients through a trauma-informed lens to identify strengths, needs and other relevant factors such as safety concerns, risk factors, adverse childhood experiences, support systems, etc.
• Collaborating with private and community service providers and resources to ensure clients receive appropriate services.
• Making sound judgements within the framework of existing laws, policies and regulations.
• Responding to client's emotions in order to accomplish service objectives.
• Presenting cases to seek funding for appropriate services.
• Providing case management services that includes completing service plans, safety assessments, risk reassessments, and reasonable candidacy assessments.
• Monitoring individuals and/or families to ensure compliance while constantly re-evaluating safety and their needs.
• Performing other duties as assigned to ensure safety and improve outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include:

• Ability to assess safety, risk and protective capacity and provide or coordinate appropriate intervention as needed.
• Knowledge of social, economic and health problems; general knowledge of social institutions and the methods of assistance.
• Possess critical thinking skills, ability to apply critical thinking, knowledge, and research to multiple scenarios in the field, as well as an office setting.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain case documentation within a case management system.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to identify solutions to specific issues and/or challenges such as skills, behavior management, financial stability, housing mental health, substance abuse, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with clients, coworkers, community professionals, supervisors, and members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and work with indirect supervision as situations warrant.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.
• Ability to write with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to speak with and before others with poise, professionalism and confidence.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Ability to testify and present accurate case information in court.

Minimum Training & Experience: Bachelor's Degree Social Services, Sociology, Human Services, Psychology or closely related field accompanied by a minimum of one (1) to two (2) years' experience in a human service related area or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Must possess and maintain a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver's license. Bilingual applicants encouraged.

Special Requirements: Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and must be able to meet agency insurance policy standards. 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.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

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

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 Central Registry.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications/resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information provided. The agency will not be conducting phone interviews. Please refer to your LHRC account for the status of your application and this position. Selected applicants will be contacted by email address/phone number.

Contact Information:

Name: Marie Hopkins

Phone: 540-564-6163

Email: marie.hopkins@dss.virginia.gov

Address: Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District, 110 North Mason Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer