Family Services Specialist II

This position will complete family assessments and investigations of child abuse/neglect while providing needed services to at-risk children and families. This family services specialist works closely with partnering agencies for child protective services including law enforcement and service providers to make appropriate referrals for needed services. This position requires the ability to prepare court affidavits, reports for the court, and testify in court proceedings. The Child Protective Services family services specialist must be able to multi-task, respond to crisis situations, maintain a caseload and complete mandated paperwork and requirements under the Code of Virginia. You must be able to work outside of the normal business hours and participate in a rotating on-call schedule.

Family Services Specialist II:

Title Description - (Illustrative Only) – This is the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in Employment Services and Child Care, and basic service level caseloads of Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoptions. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically, employees perform all tasks independently and only seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter functioning at the advanced level and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).

General Work Tasks (Illustrative Only) – 

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Monitors, coordinates and administer specific programs as assigned.
• Coordinates services within specific areas of responsibility.
• Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
• Inform 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.
• 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 areas of responsibility.
• Serves as resource for clients and the community in area of expertise.
• Provides after-hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Working knowledge of: 

Social Work Principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; 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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior, and motivational theory, and social, economic, and health problems.
• Experience in providing case management services to monitor compliance.
• Skill in operating motor vehicles and holds a valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Skill in operating a personal computer with associated software, preferably Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience working with children and family social work principles and practices.
• Experience with state-associated database programs and software.
• Knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas and legal procedures as related to program areas.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
• Ability to plan and manage work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities independently.
• Demonstrated ability to interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resources.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to the client.
• Ability to analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations.

Special Requirements 

• Applicants are subject to a Criminal History Background search, including an FBI Fingerprint Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening.

Special Instructions - 

• Applications for this position must be submitted through this website.
• Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application/resume.

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.