Family Services Specialist III - In-Home Services

The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking highly qualified individuals for the position of Family Services Specialist III within the Children, Families and Adults Services division. This position is responsible for performing individual and family needs assessments, formulating plan development and implementation, providing resource referrals, and client advocacy.

• Acting in the absence of the Family Services Supervisor and demonstrating positive leadership and support to the team
• Assist in the training of newly hired Family Services Specialists
• Interviewing individuals and/or family units to assess specific needs
• Managing more difficult/complex cases and supervising cases involving in-depth intervention
• Conduct home visits and on-site investigations
• Providing case management for children and families in order to prevent and/or coordinate foster case placements
• Making phone calls/holds meetings to evaluate case situations/circumstances
• Formulate service plans, goals and strategies for intensive cases
• Identify appropriate resources and make referrals
• Counseling clients and making referrals
• Coordinating intensive services provided by other agencies, such as individual or family counseling/therapy programs, educational programs, medical care, mental health care, dental care, foster care placement, legal counsel, probation monitoring, substance abuse treatment programs, emergency assistance and law enforcement intervention
• Working with the courts, Comprehensive Services Act (CSA) Office, and community agencies to ensure that foster care children are safe, appropriately placed and have access to resources to become productive citizens
• Prepare, review, explain, interpret, execute and monitor court orders regarding service plans
• Assist in preparation of legal documents, initiate legal action and testify in court
• Ensuring safety and well-being of clients
• Ability to identify, analyze and implement agency policies and procedures
• Participate in Family Partnership Meetings
• Refer families to the Family Assessment & Planning Team (FAPT)
• Educating the community on program services
• Participating in community engagement activities
• Representing the agency to other departments, Courts and City personnel
• Assist with other agency responsibilities as required i.e. CPS assignments

City of Richmond Department of Social Services employees working in this position are considered essential personnel and may be required to work beyond scheduled hours, during inclement weather, and during declared emergencies.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Considerable knowledge in Social Services programs; principles and practices in the human services field, including knowledge of programs, social-economic trends, and behaviors that impact the delivery of human services; agency administration policy and administering individual and family assessments and interpreting results.

Demonstrated skills in case management; consulting and advising; interpersonal communication; oral/written communication; effective listening; and formulating, interpreting, or implementing policies or operating procedures.

Demonstrated ability to think critically; make sound judgement; work with diverse population; perform job responsibilities effectively with minimal supervision; prioritize and manage time effectively.

• 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 (Section 22
  
  VAC
  40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
• Two or more years of 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 three (3) or more years of related experience in the areas of child welfare, child development, family systems, application of policy and processes including court.
• Ability to form and maintain effective and cordial working relationships at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills and strong presentation skills.
• Bilingual ability in Spanish preferred.
• May be required to work after normal business hour. City of Richmond Social Services employees may be required to work during declared emergencies.
• A Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license is also preferred.