Family Services Specialist I/II

Hiring Range: $39,807.51 to Commensurate with experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Hopewell DSS is a progressive-minded agency which encourages innovation and creativity toward achieving our mission of “People helping people triumph over poverty, abuse and neglect to shape strong futures for themselves, their families and communities.” We pride ourselves on being a family friendly employer, offering flexible work schedules and encouraging staff to take time for their families and themselves. We are customer focused and are currently striving to become a trauma informed organization. We promote professional development and have a career ladder program, providing a more structured means for staff to advance themselves within the agency.

We are seeking a career minded individual who is interested in providing Child Protective Services/In-home prevention services.

To effectively serve in this role, the candidate chosen for this position must in general have excellent communications skills; ability to collaborate and work with others; demonstrated commitment to customer service; excellent organizational skills and practices; and leadership qualities. In particular, the successful candidate should have good analytical skills, be resilient, have empathy, have the knack for asking probing and sometimes personal questions, and willing and able to follow instructions.

If this position sounds interesting and challenging, and you like the descriptions of our agency, we would welcome your application. A 5% increase to the base salary is provided to candidates who are proficient in sign language or bilingual in English/Spanish, and a 2% increase for certification in forensic interviewing.

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/’Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist. 

Family Services Specialist II is the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in Employment Services and Child Care, and basic service level caseloads of Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoptions. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically employees perform all tasks independently and only seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level, and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions). 

This position is responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in a primary service level caseload of Child Protective Services/In-home prevention services and/or Intake. Employees may provide services in court ordered or ICPC home investigations and service intake. Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility; monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned; coordinates services within specific area of responsibility; interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems; informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate; presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans; provides case management services to monitor compliance; manages program waiting lists; tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements; coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers; conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility; serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems. 

Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software. 

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field. 

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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.

Preferred Qualifications:

Working knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; and social, economic, and health problems.

Experience in Child Protective Services, Prevention or Foster Care, and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Prior work experience utilizing OASIS.

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license.

Special Requirements:

Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.

The investigation may include; fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Employee must be willing to provide after hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in Child/Adult Protective Services and/or Foster Care.

Applicants are encourage to provide a complete listing of work experience and qualifications on the application.

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted.

This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application and/or resume.