Kinship Navigator

Kinship Navigator

The Child & Family Services Division (CFSD) of the Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Kinship Navigator to lead and strengthen outreach and support efforts for kinship caregivers within the community. This position will be responsible for increasing awareness of kinship care and available resources, as well as providing individualized assistance to kinship caregivers. Additionally, this position will support caregivers in learning about, accessing, and effectively utilizing community-based programs, benefits, and services to meet the safety, wellbeing and permanency needs of children in their care.

Specific duties include:

• Developing and implementing Kinship Navigator outreach materials such as fliers and brochures;
• Connecting community kinship families via social media;
• Participating in community presentations at local and state community events;
• Offering virtual or in-person support group on a rotating basis;
• Hosting community events independently or collaboratively to provide information and referral for kinship families;
• Linking kinship caregivers and youth to a wide array of services and supports to ensure stability and safety within the home;
• Developing an information and referral system that links caregivers to community resources and outreach activities;
• Maintaining up to date information on community resources;
• Providing case management services to kinship caregivers that are assessed as needing more intensive services through the Kinship Caregiver Needs Assessment; and
• Providing training and education to kinship caregivers.

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Special Education, Mental Health, or Counseling; and
• Some experience in human/social services programs, teaching/applying behavior management techniques, counseling, training the handicapped, applying job training techniques, and/or making human service referrals. A Master's Degree is preferred.

Substitution:
Additional directly related experience can substitute for the education requirement. A Master's degree in a directly related area may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Preference may be given to candidates experience in one or more of the following:

• Providing direct services to children and families involved with child welfare; and/or
• Supporting and promoting an inclusive and diverse environment.

A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

State of Virginia Child Welfare and Neglect Central Registry check will be required.

To ensure that dual relationships are avoided and that employees who are also clients do not relate to their service provider as co-professionals, employees will not be hired by the County to provide or support services to the team or program in which they are current clients:

• You cannot concurrently receive behavioral health services from Arlington County Community Service Board (CSB) programs while employed in an Arlington County CSB program (except for Crisis Intervention services).
• At least 24 months must have passed between receipt of CSB services from Arlington County and employment in an Arlington County CSB program.

The applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence or commit to utilizing alternate means of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite. If the applicant possesses or acquires a license, the applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record.

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Work Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some telework is available contingent upon supervisor approval and workload. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

The office is located at 2100 Washington Blvd (Sequoia Plaza); however much of the work (50%) is performed at locations in Arlington County and the surrounding jurisdictions.

The official job title is Human Services Specialist.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental…