Service Utilization Specialist

Benefits

Join our team at FSS and enjoy comprehensive benefits including but not limited to:

• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Discounts
• 401k Plan with 3% Employer Contribution

The mission of Family Support Services is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit.

The Service Utilization Specialist serves a vital role in connecting children and families involved in the child welfare system with appropriate support services. Working closely with case managers, community providers, and other key stakeholders, the specialist ensures timely and effective referrals to services such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, housing assistance, and educational support.

This position is responsible for reviewing case plans and service needs, verifying service availability and eligibility, coordinating referrals, tracking service engagement, and following up to ensure delivery and progress. The specialist also helps identify gaps in services and advocates for resource development to meet the needs of vulnerable families.

Success in this role requires strong knowledge of child welfare policies, trauma-informed care principles, and local/community-based resources. The specialist must maintain detailed and accurate documentation, support compliance with regulatory requirements, and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to promote child safety, permanency, and family well‑being.

Generally Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm. Hybrid.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Social Work or related field with 2 years’ experience in the areas of child welfare, behavioral health, and/or utilization management required. Master’s degree in related field preferred.

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the areas of child welfare, behavioral health, and/or service referral/utilization management required. Master’s degree in related field can substitute for 1 year of experience. Prior experience coordinating services for children and families with complex needs preferred.

Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration:
Valid driver’s license.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Represent self and the organization in a professional manner
• Work independently with little direct supervision
• Think and write creatively
• Assess a situation and make appropriate recommendations/decisions
• Research, organize and analyze data
• Solve problems and think through critical, time‑sensitive issues
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Work collaboratively with staff at all levels in the organization
• Follow through on commitments, projects and responsibilities
• Read, research and interpret documents such as newspapers, contracts, manuals, journals, financial reports, etc.
• Communicate effectively through writing including articles, presentations, speeches, reports, correspondence, and documentation
• Speak effectively before small and large groups
• Calculate figures and amounts
• Maintain confidential information
• Perceive and communicate with sensitivity and without judgment while respecting each person’s potential
• Command the principles of permanency for children
• Identify and understand what resources are available, and build and maintain effective working relationships with a network of systems
• Consult with Child Welfare staff to connect families with existing resources within the structure of the Child Welfare Practice Model
• Make public presentations and represent the agency in various settings
• Develop long‑range and short‑range objectives including monitoring and corrective action plans
• Be proactive, decisive,…