Family Specialist; Grant-Funded Family Services Specialist

Job Overview

This is a 1-to-5 year grant‑funded position contingent upon the continued availability of funding and compliance with the applicable grant requirements (Collaborative Grant through the Virginia Department of Social Services).

The Family Services Specialist performs professional work in the support and assistance of children and families through ongoing case management services, including assessment, service planning, referrals, and monitoring.

The role collaborates with partner agencies to identify and connect children in foster care with extended family members or other supportive adults, with a goal of building a lifelong support network that promotes permanency, belonging, and improved outcomes.

• Completes Mutual Family Assessments to determine eligibility to become a foster family.
• Transporting program participants.
• May be responsible for support functions such as equipment maintenance, stocking inventory supplies, and/or oversight of vehicle maintenance.
• May work in a community‑based setting primarily with adolescents and their families.
• May develop and/or facilitate various group meetings and/or recreational or educational activities.
• Assesses the needs of clients and families to develop a service plan.
• Investigates referral and interviews clients as needed.
• Takes applications for services and determines service eligibility.
• Assesses/monitors situations and progress of clients by conducting field visits.
• Provides clinical and/or non‑clinical services to families by listening to concerns and monitoring progress.
• Completes associated casework within associated timelines; prepares and submits court‑related documentation within established deadlines.
• May testify in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Develops contacts and collaborates with community partners and service providers to make referrals for services to appropriate community resources and maintain relationships and continued referrals to programs.
• Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services.
• Provides trauma‑supportive and appropriately responsive service.
• Conducts monthly home visits and may coordinate progress with the treatment team as necessary.
• May be responsible as an on‑call staff on a rotating basis.
• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or a similar area.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in any field AND 2 years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services related field; as mandated in Section 22
  
  VAC
  40‑670‑20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services may be substituted as equivalent.

• Masters in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
• Directly related experience (case management services) in Virginia within the past 2 years.
• Ability to communicate in a second language.

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre‑employment background check and pre‑employment drug screen.

• Job Knowledge
  • Thorough knowledge and complete comprehension of eligibility requirements for public assistance, principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, employment services, family services and/or protective service work and state and federal procedures and legal terminology to solve common and unusual problems, advise on technical matters, and serve as a resource for others.
  • Knowledge of counseling and social work principles and…