Family Services Specialist I/II (foster Care)

Family Services Specialist I/II (Foster Care)

If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children, families, seniors and people with disabilities and want to work in a positive, strength-based, and flexible environment, consider a career in human services with Shenandoah County Social Services. We strive every day to engage with families and assist them in obtaining the tools they need to make positive and sustainable changes. We are dedicated to advocating for the people we serve and collaborating with them to strengthen their natural support system. We are committed to ensuring that our team of professionals have the tools and resources they need to provide exemplary service to the citizens of our community. Employee wellness is essential to our mission. If you are interested in starting the next chapter of your professional development in the most rewarding field, we invite you to apply with our team.

Shenandoah County Social Services is located in beautiful Woodstock, Virginia approximately 30 miles south of Winchester and 30 miles north of Harrisonburg. Known for its majestic mountain views, the winding seven bends of the Shenandoah River and its small town charm, Shenandoah County is the perfect place to live and work.

We are seeking an outgoing, organized individual who will be responsible for training and recruitment of foster parents, coordinating community events and adoptions.

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- 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.

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