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.

Note:

This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment.

This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• 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…