Family Services Specialist II - Adoptions

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services’ Adoption Unit is seeking a highly qualified individual for the position of Family Services Specialist II to provide adoption services for children through the City Department of Social Services. The Adoption Unit strives to improve permanency planning and thus reduce the number of children in the Foster Care system and provides these services while fulfilling State and Federal mandates.

• Determine eligibility for adoption subsidy maintenance and services;
• Provide supportive counseling to adoptive children and families;
• Provide case management;
• Make appropriate referrals for services to prevent adoption disruption in accordance with state and legal policies;
• Monitor, review, and approve financial transactions within adoption subsidy policy guidelines;
• Maintain data in computer system for administrative reporting purposes.

City of Richmond Department of Social Services employees are considered essential personnel may be required to work during inclement weather and times of declared emergencies.

Considerable knowledge in principles and practices in the human services field, including knowledge of programs, social-economic trends, and behaviors that impact the delivery of human services; and State and local policies and procedures, laws, and regulations.

Demonstrated skills in advocating and counseling; administering individual and family assessments and interpreting results;
Interviewing;
Case management, including reporting and documenting; and Oral/written communication.

Demonstrated ability in understanding and interpreting policies, procedures, regulations, and laws; thinking critically; manage time effectively; make sound judgments; problem solve; and analyze, assess, and evaluate data.

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field OR Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22
  
  VAC
  40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia)
• Experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

• Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.

• Strong case management skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Knowledge of community resources available to clients;
• Strong collaborative skills,
• Ability to interpret policy; and the ability to work with a diverse population;
• Prior experience in adoptions search or recruitment process;
• Collaborative experience with both public and non-profit adoption agencies;
• Experience with State adoption policies and processes;
• Knowledge of the FAPT process and local/regional resources for children and families.