Family Services Worker (Statewide Continuous Recruitment)

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Vermont’s Department for Children & Families seeks compassionate Family Services Workers to safeguard children and support families across the state. You will assess abuse/neglect or delinquency cases, coordinate services, and collaborate with parents, schools, law enforcement, and providers to ensure safety and permanency.

You will manage caseloads of voluntary and court-involved families, develop and monitor case plans, facilitate family visits, and prepare court reports.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage multiple families and cases
• Skilled in assessing safety risks and client needs
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary services and courts

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of voluntary and court-involved families with regular contacts.
• Develop and update case plans; coordinate services and family team meetings.
• Support children in foster/kinship care and advance permanency goals.
• Prepare court reports and testify when needed; document in the case system.
• Conduct initial safety and risk assessments through interviews and observations.
• Develop immediate safety plans and connect families to services.

Skills

Caseload management

Risk assessment

Court testimony

Education

Master's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree with 18 months of human services casework

Associate's degree in human services

Four years or more of experience in human services work

Job description

Overview The Department for Children & Families' Family Services Division is actively seeking compassionate and dedicated Family Services Workers to bolster our team in championing the welfare of children, families, and communities. Our overarching mission is to foster safety, stability, and compliance with the law for children in vulnerable situations. In this role, you'll play a pivotal part in conducting assessments related to child abuse and neglect or delinquency, as well as providing essential ongoing support to at-risk families, children under state care, or youth under juvenile probation. Collaboration is key, as we work closely with parents, relatives, educators, law enforcement, community-based service providers, courts, foster parents, and other stakeholders. Join us in this deeply meaningful, challenging, and indispensable endeavor to safeguard and nurture the future of Vermont's children and families.

Please visit the DCF website for more information and resources to help you decide if this might be the right career for you.

About The Family Service Worker Role

Ongoing FSWs-

• Manage a caseload of voluntary and court-involved families, maintaining regular contacts with children and caregivers, monitoring safety, and ensuring compliance with case plans and court orders.
• Develop, implement, and update case plans and permanency goals; coordinate services (e.g., behavioral health, substance use treatment, parenting supports, education); facilitate family team meetings and revise safety plans as risk changes.
• Support children in foster and kinship care by stabilizing placements, arranging and supervising family time/visitation, and advancing permanency through reunification, guardianship, or adoption.
• Prepare court reports and testify as needed; document thoroughly in the case system; collaborate with attorneys, GALs, providers, and schools; and make recommendations to leadership and the legal team.

Intake/ Assessment FSWs-

• Commence accepted intakes through an assessment or investigation.
• Conduct initial safety and risk assessments by interviewing children, parents, and collateral contacts; observing the home; and coordinating with law enforcement/medical providers as needed.
• Develop and implement immediate safety plans, arrange emergency placements when necessary, and connect families to services and supports.
• Document findings and decisions, determine substantiation and need for ongoing services, and prepare reports or testimony for court when required.

Who May Apply

This position, Family Services Worker (Statewide Continuous Recruitment) (Job Requisition #13865), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact [e-mail].

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

AHS BACKGROUND CHECKS:

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

Environmental Factors

Duties are performed in a variety of setting ranging from departmental offices, client homes, courtrooms or alternative staffing sites. Considerable field travel is required, for which private means of transportation must be available.

Crisis situations may arise at any hour and may require evening or weekend responses. Incumbents predictably encounter high levels of stress and emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and potentially exposure to physical danger. Class incumbents may be required to be on available or standby status during night, weekend, and holiday hours.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work.
• OR
• Bachelor's degree AND eighteen (18) months of human services casework, including at least six months with a child or youth services caseload where duties included direct responsibility for client intake, assessment, plan development, monitoring, service procurement, and case closure in a formal human services delivery system.
• OR
• Associate's degree in a human services related field AND two (2) years or more of experience in human services work.
• OR
• Four (4) years or more of experience in human services work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work.
• OR
• Bachelor's degree AND eighteen (18) months of human services casework, including at least six months with a child or youth services caseload where duties included direct responsibility for client intake, assessment, plan development, monitoring, service procurement, and case closure in a formal human services delivery system.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.