Family Services Specialist I​/II; Fluvanna

Overview

Hiring Range: $38,103 to Commensurate with Experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Fluvanna County Department of Social Services, a team of human services professionals, is recruiting for a Family Services Specialist I or II. The position may be filled at the I or II level depending on the candidate's training and experience.

Family Services Specialist I represents entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities, with casework usually reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee may be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan.

The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

Family Services Specialist II is the full performance level in the occupational group. Employees develop and implement individualized service plans involving 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 require supervisory review.

The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter’s advanced level, increased specialization, and more complex duties (such as interviewing/investigating cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardian ships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned;
• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
• Interviews and assesses customer needs and other factors such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems;
• Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations and their rights to participate;
• Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans;
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
• Manages program waiting lists;
• 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 area of responsibility;
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; 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 orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans to ensure delivery of appropriate services; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to client emotions to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports and correspondence, record keeping, and related activities;

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