Family Services Specialist IV

Family Services Specialist IV

This position functions as a lead worker for Child Protective Services workers and/or act as an expert resource and trainer. Employees serve as support for the supervisor by performing tasks such as ensuring staff coverage, workload balance, training staff, reviewing case files, and providing back-up supervision of staff.

Employees may provide consultation on complex cases and may also work on complex case assignments such as individual and group therapy, crises intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases/situations. Provides persons, families, or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with neglect and abuse; ensures that reports of suspected abuse/neglect are assigned to appropriate staff; ensures that the local department has staff on duty 24 hours per day, seven days per week to respond to reports of abuse/neglect; provides guidance, consultation and supervision to other staff in the absence of the supervisor; prepares social histories and psychosocial diagnoses and develops treatment plans which identify problems, clinical methods for dealing with them, and the means by which services will be provided either within the agency or through referral to other community resources; represents the agency in both civil and criminal court proceedings which involves interpreting law, filing petitions, preparing court records, testifying before the court, preparing witnesses for examination, and compiling evidence; provides direct intervention and service delivery for difficult, complex social work cases, and coordinates casework develops and conducts training for staff, interns and other professionals in the community; supervises social work interns by guiding them in their service delivery, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and communicating with the school liaison about their progress; conducts field visits to residential facilities, consults with therapist and residential staff and participates in the staffing and planning of meetings; functions as a lead worker providing guidance and training to other staff; and coordinates program function, develops programs, and evaluates materials.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include comprehensive knowledge of and experience working with social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; law, policies, and regulations relating to human services areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; principles and processes for providing customer and personal services to include needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of satisfaction; principles, methods and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance; and therapeutic treatment technique. Some knowledge of supervisory practices and principles if required specific assignment.

Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and training in programs areas to other employees if required in specific assignment; write court reports, home studies, evaluations, mediation agreements, letters, committee reports, presentations, and general information; make clinical judgments, assess both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high profile cases; testify in court proceedings, interpret program law, policies and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish service objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports, correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities, establish and maintain effective relationships with others, and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field. Demonstrated ability to work successfully and independently, as a team leader, to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload under stressful situations.

Skilled in operating a personal computer and associated office software.

Experience serving as a lead worker providing training and guidance to support staff.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or a Bachelor’s degree in any field and a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.

Preferred qualifications include prior work experience in a human services field or an internship in a human services field; experience in a supervisory or management role where you were responsible for reviewing and approving the work of others; prior work experience in a local department of social services office; proficiency in Microsoft Word; possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable; equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Special requirements may include a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Requires after-hours on-call. May require reporting for shelter duty during emergencies and/or disasters. A sealed copy of college transcript must be provided prior to employment. Requires valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license to include driving record that meets agency standard.

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 on the application and resume. Selected applicants will be contacted by the phone number/email address listed on the application or resume.

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