Family Services Specialist III
Virginia Department of Social Services, Culpeper, VA, United States
Title Description
This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as interviewing and investigating cases involving suspected child and adult abuse, neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster and adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Program areas generally include Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Some agencies may also dedicate positions to Child Care and Employment Services.
General Work Tasks
Monitors, coordinates, and administers specific assigned programs.
Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility.
Writes service plans and presents cases to determine appropriate services.
Tracks expenditures, prepares and submits budget estimates, and ensures payment for services.
Interprets laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility.
Completes necessary federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
Manages program waiting lists.
Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
Provides foster care casework services.
Trains foster parents and submits progress reports to the court.
Refers families to treatment resources within the community.
Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and to visitation with families.
Attends court, testifies in court, and coordinates cases with attorneys.
Provides parent education and support for families in target population.
Conducts intensive in‑home counseling and prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions.
Interviews and assesses clients and assigns them to appropriate groups.
Informs clients of service programs, rules and regulations, and their right to participate.
Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility.
Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
Provides after‑hours on‑call coverage and responds to emergencies in child and adult protective services and/or foster care.
Performs investigative duties including screening referrals for validity.
Interviews all parties involved and assesses immediate and long‑term dangers and risks to children.
Develops written service plans documenting goals, objectives, and details of the services provided for each case.
Provides program administration and caseload management services.
Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals.
Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances.
Serves as support for the family and files petitions.
Testifies in criminal and civil cases and prepares court‑ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
Establishes and maintains case records.
Codes, enters, and updates new and ongoing cases in the state computer information system.
Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child and adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skills:
skill in operating a personal computer and associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.
Abilities:
communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources; investigate high‑risk cases; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies, and regulations; develop and implement service plans; analyze case information to make sound judgments; respond to the client’s emotions; develop speeches; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
Education and Experience
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a human services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area (Section 22VAC40‑670‑20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Special Requirements
All applicants are subject to employment verification and reference checks, verification of education, a DMV/driving record check, Central Registry check, and criminal history check to evaluate for barrier crimes as described in the Code of Virginia § 63.2‑1719. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. The employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Employees must also meet local vehicle insurance requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Culpeper Department Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as interviewing and investigating cases involving suspected child and adult abuse, neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster and adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Program areas generally include Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Some agencies may also dedicate positions to Child Care and Employment Services.
General Work Tasks
Monitors, coordinates, and administers specific assigned programs.
Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility.
Writes service plans and presents cases to determine appropriate services.
Tracks expenditures, prepares and submits budget estimates, and ensures payment for services.
Interprets laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility.
Completes necessary federal, state, and local planning and reporting requirements.
Manages program waiting lists.
Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
Provides foster care casework services.
Trains foster parents and submits progress reports to the court.
Refers families to treatment resources within the community.
Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and to visitation with families.
Attends court, testifies in court, and coordinates cases with attorneys.
Provides parent education and support for families in target population.
Conducts intensive in‑home counseling and prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions.
Interviews and assesses clients and assigns them to appropriate groups.
Informs clients of service programs, rules and regulations, and their right to participate.
Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility.
Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
Provides after‑hours on‑call coverage and responds to emergencies in child and adult protective services and/or foster care.
Performs investigative duties including screening referrals for validity.
Interviews all parties involved and assesses immediate and long‑term dangers and risks to children.
Develops written service plans documenting goals, objectives, and details of the services provided for each case.
Provides program administration and caseload management services.
Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals.
Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances.
Serves as support for the family and files petitions.
Testifies in criminal and civil cases and prepares court‑ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
Establishes and maintains case records.
Codes, enters, and updates new and ongoing cases in the state computer information system.
Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child and adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge:
considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skills:
skill in operating a personal computer and associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.
Abilities:
communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources; investigate high‑risk cases; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies, and regulations; develop and implement service plans; analyze case information to make sound judgments; respond to the client’s emotions; develop speeches; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
Education and Experience
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a human services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area (Section 22VAC40‑670‑20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Special Requirements
All applicants are subject to employment verification and reference checks, verification of education, a DMV/driving record check, Central Registry check, and criminal history check to evaluate for barrier crimes as described in the Code of Virginia § 63.2‑1719. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. The employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. Employees must also meet local vehicle insurance requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Culpeper Department Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr