Family Services Specialist

Salary Range $55,000-$79,088

Position is for a Family Services Specialist I for CPS

Title Description- This is a professional position. This recruitment is for positions in Child Protective Services.

The Family Services Specialist I represents entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in Child Protective Services;
Family
Assessmentand Investigation cases,on-going cases ,and Truancy Cases . Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan.

The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

Thispositionspecializesinprogram areas such as interviewing/assessing of child abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements,guardianship, emergencyprotectiveorders,testifying in legal proceedings and placing childreninfoster/adoptive homes.

Employeeshavecontactswithothersandinfluenceoutcomebyparticipatingontaskforces,strategic planning,mentoring,teaching,andconductingoutreach.

This position mayreport to the Assistant

Director,Child Protective Services Supervisor or a Senior Worker.

Minimumofa Bachelor'sDegreein ahumanservicefieldora

Bachelor'sDegreeinanyfield accompanied by a minimum of two yearsrelatedexperience (Section 22

VAC
40-670-20oftheAdministrative Codeof Virginia ).

Someknowledgeof:social work principlesandpractices;humanbehaviorandmotivationaltheory;and social,economic,andhealthproblems.

Knowledgeofrelevantcommunity andpublicresourcesthatmightbeneeded forfosterchildren.

Skill in operation of apersonalcomputer and the associatedsoftwareandtheoperation ofamotorvehicle.

Demonstrates abilitytocommunicate effectively both orally and in writing;interview, assess needs,counselandreferclientstoother resources asneeded;investigate high riskcases;testifyin court proceedings;develop and implement service plans in ordertoinsure the delivery of appropriate services totheclient; analyze caseinformationto make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;respondtotheclient's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy;plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports andrelationshipswith others;and

stayabreastofcurrent trendsand developments inthesocial workfield.

Demonstratedability to interview,collect data,gatherinformationandinvestigate related to Social Service programs.

Priorwork experience in ahumanservicesfieldoraninternshipinahuman services field.

Current or prior work experienceinalocal department of social services office. Proficiency in Microsoft Word.

Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker License

BSW/MSW

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Experience in assigned program area and completion of requiredtrainingprograms or equivalent combination oftrainingand experience which providestherequired knowledge, skills and abilities.

Experience with alocal

Department of Social Services,Community Service Board or other agency that provides direct services to children, adults and/or families.

Experience working withcommunitypartnerssuchas:

Police Department,School System, County Administrator, Community Service Board,Community Policy Management Team,Family Assessment Planning Team andFaith

Based agencies.

Experienceworkingwithfamilies,conductingmeetingsand assessingthestrengthsandneedsofchildren and families.

Working knowledge of: social work principles and practices;human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; and social, economic, and health problems.

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, OMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.

The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

All offers of employment are contingent upon…