Family Services Specialist III

Job Title

Under general supervision, performs professional work in the protection, safety, placement and care of children, adults and families in need of services, resources, referrals and or treatment. Reports to the Family Services Supervisor, and will be assigned to one of the five units (Adoption, Foster Care, Child Care, In-Home Services or Adult/Adult Protective Services) within the agency.

Essential Job Functions

Performs case management duties to include planning and coordinating services for individuals and families; interviews and identifies barriers; performs assessment of client and family needs; develops and implements service plans to address the nature and the extent of needs for the child/children, adults, and the elderly and disabled; implements services that focus on safety, self-care, family perseveration and family reunification; monitors progress and completes routine paperwork in timeframes established by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). Initiates or approves credit authorizations and purchase orders for client needs and services and maintains financial records.

Facilitates agency and independent adoptions; travels and transports children; conducts home visits, counsels, and serves as an advocate for clients' rights. Initiates court petitions, prepares written reports for court submission, and attends court hearings and testifies as necessary. Coordinates with local law enforcement as necessary. Plans and attends meetings, and works with other agencies such as the courts, public schools, treatment programs, Family Assessment Planning Teams (FAPT), and other community partners. Serves as a resource and provides agency information and/or resources to the community. May facilitate or assist in the facilitation of agency groups.

Performs advance level work on complex and sensitive cases. Serves as a lead worker and expert resource for the Family Services program unit. Provides assistance with training, mentoring and couching unit staff. Assist supervisor with record reviews and audit preparations.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Has considerable knowledge of local, state and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations pertaining to Adult Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Care, Foster Care and In Home Services. Has considerable knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with Family Services programs. Has some knowledge of other programs administered through Social Services and through community human services agencies or volunteer groups. Is able to use common office machines and audio-visual playback equipment. Is able to read and compare works and figures carefully and accurately. Is able to maintain accurate participant records and prepare reports from such records. Is able to exercise independent judgment in organizing and establishing format. Is able to analyze and evaluate programs and to prepare reports on the programs' functioning. Is able to communicate effectively in oral and written form. Is able to make oral presentations before large groups of people. Is able to explain rules, regulations and policies of programs in terms understood by clients and the general public. Is able to exercise considerable tact, courtesy, discretion, firmness and fairness in contact with program clients. Is able to exercise considerable discretion in handling confidential files. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a human services field, and 3 – 4 years of human services, case management, or social work experience, or a Bachelor's degree in any field and 4 – 5 years of related experience.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. An acceptable general background check to include a local, state and federal criminal history and sex offender registry check. Individuals in this position cannot be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.

In the event of a declared emergency in the city of Portsmouth, individuals in this position are required to work shelter duty and may be called on to perform duties as required to provide for the safety and care of the citizens of the community.

Physical Demands

Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines which include computers, calculators, adding machines, copiers, facsimile machines, etc. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Medium work may involve walking, driving, or standing for periods of time.

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments and/or directions from superiors.

Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Requires the ability to plan work and develop procedures. Requires the ability to learn and/or evaluate complex information in order to make judgements and decisions.

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including legal, medical and insurance terminology.

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages.

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment and operating a motor vehicle.

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under varied levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress or the influence of substances.

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.