Family Services Specialist - Foster Care

General Summary

This Family Services Specialist performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of agency clients through ongoing case management services and assisting agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs within the Foster Care Division
. May be assigned to a specific functional area and/or perform clinical work. Work is performed under supervision and reports to a Family Services Supervisor.

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $27.62 - $36.87 an hour ($57,435.41 - $76,681.12 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities.

This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan:
    Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan:
    Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees.

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.

• 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.

• 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 similar area.

• 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.

• Thorough…