- Minimum Salary: $55,000
- Maximum Salary: $79,088
- DSS Primary Work Location: Henry County
Title Description- Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/’Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.
General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) –
- Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
- Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned;
- Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
- Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
- Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate;
- Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans;
- Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
- Manages program waiting lists;
- Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;
- Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;
- Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;
- Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility;
- Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and
- Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skills- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.
Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related 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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Minimum Qualifications:- 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).
Preferred Qualifications:- Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Prefer Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).
Special Requirements:- Applicants will be subjected to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. Employee will be required to participate in afterhours on-call schedule on a rotating basis. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Special Instructions to Applicants:- Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete listing of work experience, either paid or unpaid, and qualifications on the application.
CONSIDERATION FOR AN INTERVIEW IS BASED SOLELY ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN THIS APPLICATION.
Responsibilities
