Family Services Specialist I

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Social Services is seeking a Family Services Specialist I to begin a career under close supervision while being trained in Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. The position involves routine- to journey-level casework and close supervisory review before actions.

You will interpret laws, coordinate services, interview and assess client needs, develop service plans, and provide case management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or 2 years related experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Knowledge of social work principles and related fields.
• Ability to develop and implement service plans and monitor progress.

Responsibilities

• Interpret laws, policies and regulations as applied to duties.
• Coordinate services within area of responsibility.
• Interview and assess client needs.
• Prepare and monitor service plans; provide case management.
• Maintain waiting lists; track expenditures and budget estimates.

Skills

Interviewing

Written communication

Case management

Customer service

Motor vehicle operation

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree in any field with 2 years related experience

Job description

Title Description-

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/’Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities, and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Special Requirements:

All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, Central Registry (CPS) check and/or criminal history search.

The investigation may include fingerprint checks (state Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

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

Contact Information:

Name: Valerie Pierce

Phone: [phone]