Family Services Specialist III

Amherst County Department of Social Services is hiring a Family Services Specialist III!
Program areas include Foster Care, Adoption, Child Protective Services, and Adult Services/Adult Protective Services.

The salary range for this position is $39,662 - Commensurate with Experience. Amherst County offers a generous benefit package which includes participation in the Virginia Retirement System, employer paid life and disability insurance, paid holidays, annual leave and sick leave, affordable medical, dental and vision insurance, etc.

Employees may be eligible for telework after satisfactory meeting probationary requirements and at the discretion of the department. Telework schedules vary based on the needs of the agency.

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 (Section 22

VAC
40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience in Family Services and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

The Family Services Specialist III represents the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardian ships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach.

Programs areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions.

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs;
• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;
• Writes service plans, and presents cases to determine appropriate services;
• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;
• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;
• Manages program waiting lists;
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance;
• Provides foster care casework services;
• Trains foster parents; submits progress reports to the court;
• Refers families to treatment resources within the community;
• Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and for visitation with families;
• Attends court, testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys;
• Provides parent education and support for families in target population;
• Conducts intensive in-home counseling; prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions;
• Interviews and assesses clients and assigns to appropriate groups;
• Informs clients of service programs and the rules and regulations, and right to participate;
• Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility;
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise;
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care;
• Performs investigative duties to include screens referrals for validity;
• Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long-term dangers/risks to children;
• Develops written services plan documenting goals, objectives and details of the services provided for each case;
• Provides program administration and caseload management services;
• Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals;
• Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances;
• Serves as support for the family; files petitions;
• Testifies in criminal and civil cases; prepares court ordered home assessments and custody home…