Senior Family Services Specialist
- GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Performs responsible professional work supporting and assisting agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs. Responsible for managing caseloads in a specialized area or may be required to manage multiple case types within the context of program laws, regulations and policies. Assists in program development and policy implementation. Assists and supports supervisor in management of team. Provides support and direction to others and may supervise subordinate staff as delegated or in the absence of the supervisor. General supervision is given to provide regular oversight of work activities. Performs other duties as assigned.
- ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
• Interview and observe clients and collaterals to assess client strengths and needs
• Conduct client visits in various settings to include client homes, hospitals, residential facilities and group homes
• Provide transportation to clients
• Develop and write service plans with goals, objectives and target dates appropriate to the situation
• Engage client/family in a helping relationship and arrange for appropriate services
• Collaborates with community resources to coordinate services
• Accesses funding sources as necessary for provision of services, such as the Children’s Services Act
• Document activities and rationale for contacts and services
• Receive, document, and investigate referrals of suspected child or adult abuse and collaborates with supervisor for any necessary actions and resolution
• Recruit, assess, and train resource homes in foster care, adult services or child daycare programs
• Conduct home studies in accordance with department guidelines
• Prepare various professional written reports and documents
• Use computer programs to document work and search for information
• Prepares and files court documents, testifies on behalf of the department
• Work in a team environment
• Works outside of normal working hours and serves in an on-call status as assigned and approved by the supervisor
• Monitor team members’ caseload levels and complexity
• Monitor team interactions and provide support or redirection to team members
• Assists in training team members
• Manage interactions with other community professionals/agencies that require intervention beyond case specific situations
• Serves as member of Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) or other community committees
• Manages special projects such as the Independent Living Program
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Assist in meeting emergency needs for food, clothing and shelter for walk-in clients- REQUIREMENTS/PREFERENCES
- Education
Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the Human Services field as defined by the Code of Virginia.
Experience
Required: Considerable experience as a Family Services Specialist.
Certifications/ Licenses
Required: Valid Virginia driver's license with good driving record.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Thorough knowledge of social work principles and practices necessary for advising clients and delivering services in a public welfare setting.
- Thorough knowledge of social services program policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of human behavior.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with clients, coworkers and other human services workers in the community.
- Ability to assess individual and family strengths and needs in areas such as health, housing, income, employment and education; identify and implement intervention strategies appropriate to the assessed strengths and needs of individual or family; identify and utilize other DSS and community program/ resources to assist an individual or family in meeting identified goals and objectives.
- Ability to effectively utilize interviewing and communication skills to respond to client emotions and engage them in a helping relationship
- Ability to plan and manage assigned work; write professional reports, correspondence, and narrative; use computer hardware and software; interpret and apply laws, policies and regulations in order to provide services appropriately.
- Ability to apply leadership skills such as conflict resolution, coaching, team building/leadership, motivation in the workplace, and change management, etc.; and work in conjunction with supervisor to support and direct team work.
Subject to a complete criminal history and Child Protective Services background search with acceptable results. Must be able to perform the job as described in the Physical and Environmental Demands section of this job description. May be subject to DMV driving record review as required by amount of work related driving, specified by support responsibilities. May work outside normal working hours to include being on call for emergencies twenty-four hours a day, including weekend and holidays.
Supervisory Responsibilities
May direct the work of other family services staff on a case or project basis or in absence of Family Services Supervisor.
- OTHER INFORMATION
Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefit package that includes:
• Progressive Flexible Leave Plan with cash-in option
• Twelve paid holidays
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Health, Vision and Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Medical and Dependent Care
• Virginia Retirement System - Membership in VRS is automatic upon hire into a covered position. County contributes and employees pay their membership contribution.
• Deferred Compensation Plan with County Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Credit Union Membership
Roanoke County
Salem, VA