Family Services Specialist III

Title Description

This 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. Additionally, in some agencies, positions may be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services in addition to other program areas.
The Family Services Specialist III is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist IV class by the latter’s functioning as a lead worker, or an expert resource specialist.

• 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 studies;
• Establishes and maintains case records;
• Codes, enters and updates new and on-going cases in the state computer information system; and
• Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child/adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.

Considerable knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; testify in court proceedings;…