Family Services Specialist - Adult Protective Services

Overview

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Seeking qualified candidate for the position of Family Services Specialist in Adult Protective Services. Opportunities for advancement are available through a pay progression plan.

• Investigating allegations of physical, mental, and sexual abuse, neglect and self-neglect, and financial, sexual, and other exploitation of the elderly and/or incapacitated and mitigating or eliminating identified risk(s).
• Interviewing alleged perpetrators of the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Assessing client needs and stabilizing and improving family/client living and interpersonal skills through mediation and referrals to outside resources.
• Must testify in court and make recommendations relating to court action.
• Must be willing and able to advocate strongly for client needs.
• Must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen (including marijuana), and Child Protective Services Registry check.
• Travel may be required for some training.
• Must satisfactorily complete all mandated trainings within twelve months of hire date.
• Interprets, implements and administers complex policies, regulations, and laws, and refines established complex procedures which require frequent independent thinking and resourcefulness in a complex environment.
• Performs scheduled and unscheduled field visits in frequently highly volatile and dangerous environments.
• Participates in extensive networking and collaboration with community and professional agencies, both public and private.
• Provides analysis, recommendations and testimony in complex court proceedings, which requires thorough assessment and documentation of the family/client’s situations; assists in formulating recommendations on difficult and important technical problems relating to the court action.
• Develops and implements a plan of action for the family/client which directly involves family/client input.
• Engages family/client and community in problem solving, conflict resolution and achieving goals in order to resolve the crisis.
• Stabilizes and improves family/client living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to collateral resources.
• Executes complex and critical decisions involving families/clients in crisis, under possible adverse conditions.
• Interprets, analyzes and coordinates resources to support the family/client.

Education and Experience:

To be hired a candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree in the human services field; or a baccalaureate degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a human services related area. Individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.

Experience working with individuals and families in crisis, preferably older or disabled adults, is preferred. Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.

Additional requirements:

Successful candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record acceptable according to City criteria that includes four or fewer DMV demerit points; no DWI/DUI convictions within the last three (3) years; at least three (3) years of continuously valid licensing; an overall pattern of safe motor vehicle operation and driving habits.

Other notes: ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned. When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

Checks:
The following checks are required: criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen (including marijuana), and Child Protective Services Registry check. Annual benefits information available; check out our competitive benefits.