Family Services Specialist

DSS Primary Work Location Petersburg City

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Monitors, coordinates and administer specific programs as assigned.
• Coordinates services within specific areas of responsibility.
• Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.
• Inform clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right 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 expenditure, 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 areas 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 both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives;
  
  plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22
  
  VAC
  40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

• Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
• This position is covered under Code of Virginia 563.2-1601.1 or 563.2-1720 requiring the finalist candidate to submit fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information for a criminal history record check through the Central Criminal Records Exchange and a search of the Central Registry.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
• Employees must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

• Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.
• Applicants are encouraged to provide a complete list of work experience and qualifications on the application along with three professional references.
• Applications/Resumes for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. NO PHONE CALLS ACCEPTED.
• This website will provide confirmation or receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Starting salary $48,000.00, could be higher depending on qualifications and experience.

VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.