Family Services Specialist II - In-Home Services

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Family Services Specialist II for the In-Home Services Unit. The focus of the In-Home Services Unit is to provide services that stabilize and strengthen family functioning to prevent abuse and neglect, as well as out-of-home placements including foster care or institutional placements due to crisis situations.

The incumbent is responsible for providing services through the implementation of assessments, service plan development and delivery, community referrals, case management and emergency interventions as required to enable families to remain intact and within a safe environment.

• Providing family-centered and community-based services to at-risk cases assigned from Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Juvenile Court and Community Partners;
• Conducting home visits, intake and needs/family assessments and formulating service plans;
• Counseling clients and/or making referrals for services;
• Providing case management services that assist clients in becoming self-sufficient;
• Preparing court reports and other legal documents;
• Executing and monitoring progress/compliance of court orders; providing testimony in court; and handling out of home placements as required;
• Submitting case reports within agency requirements and meeting state-mandated deadlines;
• Participating in Family Partnership Meetings;
• Referring families to the Family Assessment & Planning Team (FAPT);
• Assisting with other agency responsibilities as required i.e., CPS and Foster Care assignments.

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.

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are preferred
• Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Spanish is a plus;
• Prior experience in child welfare practice, including child development and family systems, policies, and processes;
• Knowledge of the FAPT process.
• Knowledge of the Family Partnership Meeting process