Family Services Specialist II

Job Description

Job Description: This is a sensitive and essential position. You may be required to work during times of public health emergencies to meet program and operational requirements. This position will gather and process accurate, comprehensive information to assess family strengths and needs while developing an individual and objective plan for safety, well-being, and self-sufficiency; conduct employment counseling to interview/assess client's employability and/or child care needs; monitor client's job search activities; communicate orally with clients and other professionals; inform clients of other available services; share and disseminate information with all involved parties while maintaining client confidentiality; engage with clients in a manner to make all informed decisions; empower clients to recognize needs in order to protect children, facilitate change; complete necessary planning and reporting requirements to comply with the Employment and Training Annual Plan and program guidance; plan, organize, and coordinate work to ensure program activities are implemented/maintained; facilitate/coordinate Job Readiness class; recruit non-profit agencies for participation in the Community Work Experience Program; explain responsibilities and expectations of Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) and Child Care programs; assist in managing Child Care Program including Service Intake; coordinate and conduct office and field visits; interpret laws, policies, and regulations to ensure duties are performed in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Agency standards, guidelines, regulations, policies, and laws; document case records of client contact/activity and enter data accurately and timely in OASIS and/or the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS); serve as Family Partnership Meeting (FPM) facilitator and Virginia Enhanced Maintenance Assessment Tool (VEMAT) rater; prepares reports for local and state administration; may provide after hours on-call coverage and respond to emergencies in child and adult protective services and/or foster care. Participate in Emergency Shelter training and exercises and staff emergency shelter during disaster periods.


Qualifications - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): Working knowledge of: principles and practices of assigned human services programs; local service agencies and organizations, and departmental programs and activities; program management and development; laws, regulations, policies, and standards related to the program; program terminology, principles, and methods utilized in the program; and human behavior; individual differences, personalities, and interests/motivations; group behavior and dynamics; knowledge of employment counseling, job development/placement; social and economic issues. Skill in: operating a computer to enter, retrieve, or modify data; and the use of spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs; skill in operating a motor vehicle; in developing and implementing realistic service plans to ensure delivery of appropriate services. Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing with client, staff, and community partners; gather and interpret data, assess client needs; plan, coordinate, and evaluate program activities; maintain effective working relationships with client, staff, agencies, and community partners; identify needs and assess services in problem-solving; interpret and apply regulations and procedures; facilitate classes to enhance employability and self-sufficiency; speak publicly to community partners to establish Community Work Experience Program sites; interact with a diverse group of people; produce meaningful, clear, and concise documents with he proper grammar usage; read, understand, and interpret program/technical reports and related materials. Ability to: effectively listen, understand, and communicate information/ideas to plan and organize to ensure program activities are implemented/maintained; make and implement case decisions, made sound judgement within framework of existing guidance; respond to client's emotions in order to accomplish service objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery; establish and maintain effective working relationships; assess family's strengths and needs in all areas; to objectively plan and reason; to interpret laws, policies, and regulations to ensure duties are performed in compliance with Federal, State, Local, and Agency guidelines, standards, regulations, policies, and laws; Demonstrated ability to: work well with others and maintain a positive and professional attitude; willing to work outside normal business hours.

Qualifications - Education, Experience, Licensure, and Certification: Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field OR a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two (2) 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.