Family Specialist; Grant-Funded Family Services Specialist

Family Services Specialist

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). This Family Services Specialist performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of children and families through ongoing case management services, including assessment, service planning, referrals, and monitoring. As part of the grant, this position will collaborate 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.

Functioning as an investigator, negotiator, and relationship builder, the work is accomplished through intensive family-finding strategies and by building trust with relatives and other potential supports to establish meaningful relationships or kinship placements. Work is performed under supervision and reports to a Human Services Program Supervisor. The preferred hiring amount is between $56,326.40 - $59,870 Annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, internal equity and available funding through the collaborative grant.

This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

To learn more about the City's Department of Human Services and its operations, mission, vision, and values please visit: .

• 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 makes 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.

Other Duties

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

Education and Experience:

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

Preferred:

• 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.

Certifications/Licenses / Other Requirements:

• 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…