Family Services Specialist III
Virginia Department of Social Services, Marion, 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 in cases involving suspected child or adult abuse, neglect, out‑of‑home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster or adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. In some agencies, positions may also be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services.
The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker or expert resource specialist.
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only)
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 for 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; 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 and the rules, regulations, and 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 or adult protective services and/or foster care;
Performs investigative duties, including screening referrals for validity;
Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long‑term dangers or risks to children;
Develops written service plans documenting goals, objectives and details of services for each case;
Provides program administration and caseload management services;
Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals;
Accompanies victims and families to court appearances;
Serves as support for the family; files petitions;
Testifies in criminal and civil cases; 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 or adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.
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 operation of a motor vehicle.
Abilities
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; 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 to insure delivery of appropriate services; analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies and regulations; respond to client emotions to accomplish service objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record‑keeping responsibilities, and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; 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 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 the assigned program area and completion of required training programs or an equivalent combination of training and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
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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 in cases involving suspected child or adult abuse, neglect, out‑of‑home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster or adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. In some agencies, positions may also be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services.
The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker or expert resource specialist.
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only)
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 for 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; 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 and the rules, regulations, and 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 or adult protective services and/or foster care;
Performs investigative duties, including screening referrals for validity;
Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long‑term dangers or risks to children;
Develops written service plans documenting goals, objectives and details of services for each case;
Provides program administration and caseload management services;
Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals;
Accompanies victims and families to court appearances;
Serves as support for the family; files petitions;
Testifies in criminal and civil cases; 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 or adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.
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 operation of a motor vehicle.
Abilities
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; 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 to insure delivery of appropriate services; analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies and regulations; respond to client emotions to accomplish service objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record‑keeping responsibilities, and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; 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 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 the assigned program area and completion of required training programs or an equivalent combination of training and experience to provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
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