Family Services Specialist III

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services seeks a Family Services Specialist III to conduct interviews, assess needs, and place children in foster/adoptive homes. The role covers child and adult protective services, foster care, and related duties with field visits and court involvement.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field and relevant experience; a BSW/MSW is desirable. Travel overnight and after-hours on-call duties are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of social work principles, laws and regulations relevant to human services.
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to resources.
• Willingness to travel overnight and perform after-hours on-call duties.

Responsibilities

• Investigates adult and child abuse and neglect, assessing safety, needs and permanency.
• Provides ongoing case management and coordinates services within responsibility areas.
• Develops written service plans with SMART goals and documents case details.
• Maintains case records and conducts field work, home visits and transport.
• Attends court, testifies, and coordinates with attorneys as needed.
• Represents the agency in trainings and community outreach activities.

Skills

Social work principles

Human behavior

Laws and regulations

Interviewing techniques

Oral and written communication

Court testimony

Education

Bachelor's in Human Services

BSW or MSW desirable

Job description

Hiring Range: $62,500.00 to Commensurate with Experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

The agency is seeking highly motivated applicants committed to delivering high‑quality internal and external customer service in the areas of Child Care Subsidy, Family Support, and Child Protective Services. This recruitment effort is intended to fill one position that may encompass any or all of the responsibilities outlined below. As such, the anticipated focus areas may be adjusted or expanded based on departmental needs.

Family Services Specialist III is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees have contact with others and influence outcomes by participating via task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Additionally, in some agencies, positions may be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services in addition to other program areas. The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker, or an expert resource specialist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Considerable knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems. Skills- Skill in: operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle. Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies, and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to ensure 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 to accomplish service objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency via program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities, e.g., service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, recordkeeping responsibilities, and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Responsibilities (exemplary, as opposed to exhaustive, list)

• Investigates adult and child abuse and neglect reports and complaints, interviewing and assessing strengths and needs, safety, permanency, and wellbeing.
• Provides ongoing case management services in the assigned program areas.
• Refers for and coordinates services within specific areas of responsibility, informing clients of their right or obligation to participate.
• Develops written services plans documenting SMARTer goals, objectives, and details of the services provided for each case.
• Establishes and maintains case records.
• Conducts field work/home visits and transports adults and children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and for family and fictive kin visitation.
• Interprets laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Prepares court-ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
• Attends court, testifies, and coordinates cases with attorneys.
• Practices fiscal management within program constraints.
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in adult/child protective services and/or foster care.
• Practices positive community relations inter- and intra-agency, including but not limited to public education related to assigned areas of responsibility and expertise.

Basic 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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable 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. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Capacity and willingness to travel overnight

Capacity and willingness to perform after-hours on-call duties related to child protective services, adult protective services, and foster care

Capacity and willingness to operate within a shelter environment during a natural or other disaster

Preferred Qualifications:

Considerable experience in one or more assigned program areas, along with the completion of required training programs or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage individuals, families, and communities within the practice model through case management services.

Special Requirements:

Valid Virginia Driver's License. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of fingerprint-based criminal history and the Virginia Department of Social Services Central Registry inquiries. Additional employment-related inquiries may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Any interview offer is based solely on the information provided within the application submitted. Hand-delivered applications and any received by mail, email, or fax will not be accepted.

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is an equal opportunity employer and honors the Commonwealth’s veteran’s hiring preference.