Family Services Specialist - Foster Care

Description

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Family Services Specialist in their Foster Care division. The successful candidate would carry a caseload of 10 to 14 children and meet with each child at least monthly. Works with families and collateral agencies to assess the needs of children in foster care. Develops, implements and monitors plans to meet needs and establish permanency plans.

Attends court hearings, attends Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) meetings for consultation and funding, schedules and participates in Family Partnership Meetings (FPM) and monthly team meetings for the children on their caseload. Maintains case records, prepares written reports of services, findings and actions. Testifies in juvenile and domestic relations and circuit courts. Works with agencies such as the public schools, and various treatment programs.

Acts as a team player and is able to work outside the normal range of hours when necessary. Position participate in a rotating after hours beeper team that responds to emergency Child Protective Services (CPS)/Adult Protective Services (APS)/Foster Care situations. Must have at least a Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university;
Human Services degree preferred. Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bilingual, Spanish/English speakers encouraged to apply.

• Carry a caseload of 10 to 14 children and meet with each child at least monthly.
• Work with families and collateral agencies to assess the needs of children in foster care.
• Develop, implement, and monitor plans to meet needs and establish permanency plans.
• Attend court hearings and Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) meetings for consultation and funding.
• Schedule and participate in Family Partnership Meetings (FPM) and monthly team meetings for the children on the caseload.
• Maintain case records and prepare written reports of services, findings and actions.
• Testify in juvenile, domestic relations, and circuit courts.
• Work with agencies such as public schools and various treatment programs.
• Act as a team player and work outside the normal range of hours when necessary.
• Participate in a rotating after‑hours beeper team that responds to emergency CPS/APS/Foster Care situations.
• Interview clients to assess the nature and extent of needs.
• Identify problems, counsel with clients, and confer with supervisor in preparing social studies and service plans.
• Maintain records throughout the client’s service relationship with the agency.
• Make referrals for services to agencies such as clinics, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation services.
• Perform work with agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts and circuit courts.
• Provide protection and care to abandoned, abused, and neglected children and adults on a regular and emergency basis in potentially dangerous situations.
• Work with abusive or neglecting parents and families to help effect changes in family situation, usually in a family home setting.
• Make decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and recommend institutionalization of adults and children.
• Study homes for day care, foster care, or adoption placement and/or foster care and adoptive placements.
• Serve as agency representative on a variety of multidisciplinary teams.
• Share a 24‑hour on‑call rotation.

• NOTE: If you do not hold a State of Virginia driver’s license, you must provide a certified copy of a DMV report from the state of previous residence before you can be considered for this position.
• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

This is a non‑exempt position.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or a Bachelor’s degree in any field with at least two years of appropriate and related experience in Human Services.
• Possession of a valid appropriate driver’s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you do not have a driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, submit a certified copy of your…