Family Services Worker; Statewide

Overview

The Department for Children & Families' Family Services Division is actively seeking compassionate and dedicated Family Services Workers to bolster our team in championing the welfare of children, families, and communities. Our mission is to foster safety, stability, and compliance with the law for children in vulnerable situations. In this role, you will conduct assessments related to child abuse and neglect or delinquency, and provide essential ongoing support to at‑risk families, children under state care, or youth under juvenile probation.

Collaboration is key as we work closely with parents, relatives, educators, law enforcement, community‑based service providers, courts, foster parents, and other stakeholders to safeguard and nurture Vermont's children and families.

Please visit the DCF website for more information and resources to help you decide if this might be the right career for you.

A cover letter regarding your interest and qualifications for this work is required in lieu of a writing sample.

As of July 12, 2026, the step 1 rate for pay grade 25 will be $31.54 per hour and the step 15 rate will be $49.45 per hour.

This position, Family Services Worker (Statewide Continuous Recruitment) (Job Requisition #13865), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion, or demotion into an AHS classified position or persons exercising re‑employment (RIF) rights.

Duties are performed in a variety of settings including departmental offices, client homes, courtrooms, or alternative staffing sites. Considerable field travel is required, for which private means of transportation must be available. Crisis situations may arise at any hour and may require evening or weekend responses. Incumbents predictably encounter high levels of stress, emotional situations, strong differences of opinion, and potentially exposure to physical danger.

Class incumbents may be required to be on available or standby status during night, weekend, and holiday hours.

• Master's degree in social work.
• Or Bachelor’s degree AND eighteen (18) months of human services casework, including at least six months with a child or youth services caseload where duties included direct responsibility for client intake, assessment, plan development, monitoring, service procurement, and case closure in a formal human services delivery system.
• Or Associate’s degree in a human services related field AND two (2) years or more of experience in human services work.
• Or four (4) years or more of experience in human services work.

• Master's degree in social work.
• Or Bachelor’s degree AND eighteen (18) months of human services casework, including at least six months with a child or youth services caseload where duties included direct responsibility for client intake, assessment, plan development, monitoring, service procurement, and case closure in a formal human services delivery system.

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity. The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% state paid medical premium
• Dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible spending health‑care and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: a state defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Incentive‑based wellness program
• Qualified employer for public service student loan forgiveness program

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status.

The State’s employment decisions are merit‑based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.