Family Services Specialist - Child Protective Services

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Performs responsible professional work in recognizing and supporting the power of individuals and families to speak about their well‑being, find solutions, and continue to grow as a family. This position will work on the behalf of a client, family and/or community, communicating with decision makers, and initiating actions to secure or enhance a needed service, resource or benefit.

• Make comprehensive assessment of families/clients in crisis
• Analyze needs and coordinate resources to support the family/client
• Develop and implement a plan of action for the family/client that directly involves family/client input
• Engage family/client and community in problem solving, conflict resolution and achieving goals in order to resolve the crisis
• Stabilize and improve family/client living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to collateral resources
• Execute complex and critical decisions involving families/clients in crisis under possible adverse conditions
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled field visits in frequently highly volatile and dangerous environments
• Participate in extensive networking and collaboration with community and professional agencies, both public and private
• Provide analysis, recommendations and testimony in complex court proceedings, which requires thorough assessment and documentation of the family/client's situations; assist in formulating recommendations on difficult and important technical problems relating to the court action
• Interpret, implement and administer complex policies, regulations, and laws, and refine established complex procedures that require frequent independent thinking and resourcefulness in a complex environment

• Assist in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to families/clients
• Process financial documentation related to family/client services
• Interpret agency programs to other agencies, community groups, and associations
• Identify homes suitable for placement of children and adults
• Research and develop community resources, give presentations, and participate in interagency meetings such as FAPT, eligibility, and IEP meetings with schools
• Transport clients to medical and mental health appointments
• Assist in the operation of emergency shelters
• Provide coverage for child protective services intake duties when necessary
• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned
• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To be hired, a candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree in the human services field; or a baccalaureate degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services related area. Individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.

Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and an acceptable driving record according to City criteria.

Must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen and Child Protective Services Registry check.

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher level NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.