Family Support Worker - Family Services Specialist II - Albemarle

Family Support Worker- Family Services Specialist II - Albemarle

Hiring Range: $67,409 to $74,505

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Albemarle County, Virginia, United States

Closing at: Sep 27 2025 - 00:00 EDT

003-Albemarle Dept Of Social Services

Essential Functions:

Recruits, engages and provides voluntary services to families through school, community, and other referral sources;

Assesses cognitive, social/emotional, and behavioral functioning of children and families; develops case plans in partnership with families based on identified needs to strengthen families; and delivers specialized and appropriate trauma-informed and family-centered services designed to ensure child safety, well-being, and permanency;

Advocates for families in the educational process; acts as a liaison between school and DSS for at-risk youth by promoting academic success, community engagement, and social/emotional well-being in the school and home setting;

Applies family-systems treatment models to complex family situations, in such a way as to strengthen families and prevent family dissolution.

Facilitates the education of clients in addressing areas of need that may include parenting skills, child development, adolescent adjustment, aging, nutrition, and budgeting;

Participates in the identification of social problems and advocates for and collaborates in the development of needed resources within multiple systems inclusive of schools, DSS, families, and community; assists and supports families in their use of agency, school, and other resources;

Coordinates with county schools, other agencies, and multi-disciplinary and interagency teams to provide early intervention and family support case management;

Maintains professional confidential case records according to state and federal law and policy; provides accurate and timely updated entries into the required information systems; interprets agency programs and policies to other agencies and the community; attends and participates in related departmental and school meetings and training;

Promotes cultural understanding and competency and an organizational climate of equity and inclusion; provides a high level of service to all internal and external customers;

Performs related tasks as required.

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of social work principles and practices; individual and group behavior; social-emotional and economic challenges of an at-risk population; child development; positive parenting practices; community resources;

Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development, family structure and dynamics, the impact of handicapping physical and mental conditions on families, and crisis intervention.

Ability to identify needs and to assess the ability to individual and families to utilize services in problem solving;

Ability to assess needs of children and families to reduce risk factors and increase protective factors to achieve self-sufficiency.

Skills in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with internal and external customers;

Ability to work independently and collaboratively;

Ability to accept the rights, responsibilities, and differences of others, establish effective working relationships with families, co-workers, community agencies and other professionals, school staff, and the general public;

Ability to plan, prioritize and manage workload, prepare reports, maintain confidential case records, and use a computer and related software;

Ability to understand, interpret, and apply laws, policies, and regulations affecting practice with children and families.

Required 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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).

Experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Workers in this position are required to drive, and they must meet the eligibility requirements of the County's safe driver policy. Workers must be willing to travel occasionally overnight and may be required to assist in managing emergency shelters for the public. The candidate may be subject to criminal history and central registry background checks.

Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:

Possession of a MSW or related Master's degree and licensure.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Administers work to the public, often in families' homes, which may be in remote rural areas, and in a school setting;

Involves office-based work for purposes of documentation and data entry.

Frequent contacts with clients and their families; coordination with professionals and representatives of other public and private agencies (i.e. school, courts, clinics, etc.) are required.

Involves frequent driving, walking, standing.

Must be willing to work flexible hours based on the needs of families, schools, and the department.

Remote Work:

This position is eligible for a hybrid remote work schedule that is in compliance with the County's Remote Work Policy and meets the operational and service needs for the position.

All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Albemarle County Core Values:

Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County's Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through

Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.

Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.

Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change. Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.

Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.

Please include cover letter, resume and three references

Contact Information:

For questions related to this posting, please contact: Kiersten Trader

ktrader@albemarle.org