Family Services Specialist I

New LHRC External Career Site; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

New LHRC External Career Site is hiring a Family Services Specialist I in Harrisonburg, VA, for Child Protective Services. The role trains under close supervision, progressing to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II with a potential pay increase per the local compensation plan.

The position focuses on interviewing and assessing child abuse/neglect cases, out-of-home placements, emergency protective orders, and fostering/adoption processes, with duties spanning outreach and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or a related degree with 2 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of social work principles, human behavior, and related health problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to interview, collect data, gather information and investigate social service programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine- to journey-level casework in Child Protective Services under supervision.
• Interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to resources; investigate high risk cases and testify in court when needed.
• Develop and implement service plans to ensure delivery of appropriate services to clients.

Skills

Communication skills

Interviewing

Case assessment

Court testimony

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

BSW/MSW

Two years related experience

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Salary Range $55,000-$79,088

Position is for a Family Services Specialist I for CPS

Title Description- This is a professional position. This recruitment is for positions in Child Protective Services.

The Family Services Specialist I represents entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in Child Protective Services; FamilyAssessmentandInvestigationcases,on-goingcases ,andTruancyCases. 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 and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. 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.

Thispositionspecializesinprogram areas such asinterviewing/assessingof child abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements,guardianship, emergencyprotectiveorders,testifying in legalproceedings and placing childreninfoster/adoptive homes.

Employeeshavecontactswithothersandinfluenceoutcomebyparticipatingontaskforces,strategicplanning,mentoring,teaching,andconductingoutreach.

Thisposition mayreport to theAssistantDirector,Child Protective Services Supervisor or a Senior Worker.

MinimumQualifications

MinimumofaBachelor'sDegreein ahumanservicefieldoraBachelor'sDegreeinanyfield accompanied by a minimum of two yearsrelatedexperience (Section 22VAC40-670-20oftheAdministrativeCodeofVirginia).

Someknowledgeof:socialwork principlesandpractices;humanbehaviorandmotivationaltheory;and social,economic,andhealthproblems.

Knowledgeofrelevantcommunity andpublicresourcesthatmightbeneeded forfosterchildren.

Skill in operation of apersonalcomputer and the associatedsoftwareandtheoperation ofamotorvehicle.

Demonstrates abilitytocommunicate effectively both orally and in writing;interview, assessneeds,counselandreferclientstoother resources asneeded;investigatehigh riskcases;testifyin court proceedings;develop and implement service plans in ordertoinsure the delivery of appropriate services totheclient; analyze caseinformationto make soundjudgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;respondtotheclient's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy;plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparingreports andrelationshipswith others;and stayabreastofcurrent trendsand developments inthesocial workfield.

Demonstratedability tointerview,collectdata,gatherinformationandinvestigate related to Social Serviceprograms.

PreferredQualifications

Priorwork experiencein ahumanservicesfieldoraninternshipinahuman servicesfield.

Current or prior work experienceinalocal department of social services office. ProficiencyinMicrosoft Word.

Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker License

BSW/MSW

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Experience in assigned program area and completion of requiredtrainingprograms orequivalent combination oftrainingand experience which providestherequired knowledge, skills and abilities.

Experience with alocalDepartment ofSocial Services,Community Service Board or other agency that provides direct services to children, adults and/orfamilies.

Experienceworking withcommunitypartnerssuchas:Police Department,SchoolSystem, County Administrator, Community Service Board,Community PolicyManagement Team,Family Assessment Planning Team andFaithBased agencies.

Experienceworkingwithfamilies,conductingmeetingsand assessingthestrengthsandneedsofchildren andfamilies.

Working knowledge of: social work principles and practices;humanbehavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; and social, economic, and health problems.

Special Requirements

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, 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.

May require 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.

Contact Information

Name Marie Hopkins

Phone:[phone]

Email:[e-mail]

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