Family Services Specialist III -Senior Child Care Worker (Albemarle)

Job Summary/ Objective: 

Performs difficult, equitable, and complex professional work in accordance with established casework principles by supporting and assisting agency clients with personal, social, health, and economic needs. Empowers the family/client to the highest level of self-sufficiency. Provides coaching and mentoring to staff. Requires little supervision. Works within an inclusive team environment as part of the Self-Sufficiency Team (SST).  

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• None. 

Essential Functions: 

• Provides services of considerable difficulty in a specialized service area; works with and counsels clients; determines program eligibility; 

• Prepares in-depth assessments in the formulation and delivery of service plans; 

• Analyzes information received and makes decisions regarding service plans subject to final approval by the SST Program Manager;  

• Counsels clients in planning budgets and regarding the care and training of children;  

• Coordinates group activities with ancillary agencies such as clinics, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation services;  

• Performs work with specific ancillary agencies;  

• Maintains records and reports through the course of clients' service relationships with the agency;  

• Coaches, mentors, assigns cases, and evaluates work of subordinates;   

• Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups, and associations;  

• Performs related tasks as required. 

Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities: 

• General knowledge of social, economic and health problems;  

• General knowledge of social institutions and the methods of the helping process;   

• General knowledge of individual and group behavior; 

• Ability to identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability of individuals and families to utilize services in problem solving;  

• Ability to accept the rights, responsibilities and differences of others;  

• Ability to work effectively through counseling and other methods with individuals and families in helping them solve their problems;  

• Ability to plan and organize work; ability to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations;  

• Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies and the general public;  

• Ability to prepare reports and maintain records; 

• Ability to utilize PC and standard business applications and social services software.