Family Services Specialist I/ll - Child Protective Services

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; Gloucester (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Gloucester Department of Social Services in Gloucester, VA seeks a Family Services Specialist to initiate family assessments and investigations of alleged abuse/neglect, assess safety and risk, and carry out comprehensive casework throughout the process.

The role includes training, supervision, and potential duties across multiple child and adult protective services programs, with emphasis on service planning and community coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services or related field or a Bachelor's degree with two years related experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to interview and assess needs.
• Familiarity with case management in social services and service planning.

Responsibilities

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations within their area of responsibility.
• Monitors, coordinates and administers programs as assigned.
• Interviews and assesses customer needs, education and support systems.
• Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans.
• Provides case management to monitor compliance and tracks expenditures.
• Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multidisciplinary teams.
• Provides after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in protective services.
• Shelter duty when activated for community emergency situations.

Skills

Effective communication

Case management

Interviews & assessments

Time management

Multitasking

Driver’s license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services or related field

Bachelor's degree with 2+ years related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Gloucester Department of Social Services is seeking to fill a position within the Child Welfare Unit. The selected candidatewill be responsible for the initiation of family assessments/investigations of alleged abuse/neglect of child(ren) assessing safety and risk of the child(ren) as well as completing relevant casework throughout the process.

Family Services Specialist I represents an entry-level employee receiving training in the area of child welfare. The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Family Services Supervisor. The position involves extensive training both virtually and in-person prior to caseload assignments.

Family Services Specialist II represents the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in Employment Services and Child Care and basic service level caseloads of Adult/Adult Protective Services,Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically, a Family Services Specialist II performs all tasks independently and only seeks supervisory advice on unusual situation or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement.

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.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• 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 plan
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance
• 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
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care
• Shelter duty – When activated by the County Administrator, must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter

Hiring Range:$55,000 (May be higher depending on qualifications and budgetary considerations)

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

• Knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior and motivational theory, and social, economic, and health problems.
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
• Skill in operating a motor vehicle and holding a valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Skill in operating a personal computer with associated software, preferably Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience working with social work principles and practices.
• Experience with state associated database programs and software.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas and legal procedures as related to program area.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
• Ability to plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities.
• Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans in order to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to the client.
• Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations.

Special Requirements

• Applicants are subject to a Criminal History Background search, including anFBIFingerprint Background search, Central Registry search,DMV/driving record check
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening.