Senior Family Service Specialist​/Master Family Service Specialist

Summary Statement

The Family Service Specialist series includes the Family Service Specialist, Senior Family Service Specialist, Master Family Service Specialist, and Family Crisis Therapist classifications. Incumbents provide and coordinate professional case management services for children, youth, adults, and families experiencing abuse, neglect, dependency, behavioral concerns, crisis situations, or family dysfunction. The role includes conducting assessments, planning, facilitation, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation in collaboration with clients and other professionals.

Responsibilities include child abuse investigations, ongoing case management, foster care, and permanency planning.

After meeting departmental promotional standards and job requirements, employees may advance to the next level within the Family Services Specialist series: entry level, Senior, and Master.

• Valid, non‑revoked driver’s license.
• Statewide travel, including night driving and adverse weather conditions.
• Other selective requirements as outlined in the posting.

• Advocate for the health, safety, and welfare of clients and families and assist in obtaining needed services.
• Interview clients, family members, and professionals to gather personal, social, and background information.
• Identify key problem forces, resources, strengths, and blocking factors.
• Determine eligibility for agency or community programs.
• Develop and implement service plans with clear goals, methods, and anticipated results.
• Assist clients in obtaining community and therapeutic services.
• Conduct individual and family counseling sessions.
• Assess progress toward goals and recommend changes such as reclassification, discharge, or aftercare.
• Prepare social histories, progress reports, evaluations, discharge summaries, court reports or petitions.
• Enforce court orders and attend hearings to present progress reports.
• Intervene in crisis situations (e.g., potential suicides, assault, sexual abuse) and coordinate with law enforcement when necessary.
• Respond to urgent situations to assess and maintain child safety.
• Remain on call for emergency duties as required.

• At least two years’ experience in professional health or human service work,
  * or* an Associate’s degree and one year of experience,
  * or* a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Six months’ experience in health or human services focused on family safety and welfare.
• One year of case management experience involving assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

• At least three years’ experience in professional health or human service work,
  * or* an Associate’s degree and two years of experience,
  * or* a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• One year’s experience in health or human services focused on family safety and welfare.
• Two years’ case management experience encompassing assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Positions are available in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties. Shift schedules include: 8:00‑4:30, 3:30‑12:00, and 11:30‑8:00. Weekend and holiday shifts require additional hours and differential pay. Specific location options are listed with each posting. All schedules and locations may vary and are subject to change.

• Pre‑employment drug testing and criminal background check are required.
• New hires must attend the Statewide New Employee Orientation.
• Collective bargaining relations apply to this classification.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Comprehensive benefits are available. For more information, visit Delaware HR Benefits.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek a workforce that represents Delaware, including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.