Family Services Specialist III

Family Services Specialist III - Foster Care

The City of Fredericksburg Department of Social Services (FDSS) is recruiting for a full-time Family Services Specialist to perform the duties of a Foster Care Worker. Are you ready for a challenging but rewarding job where you can Work with a Purpose in a positive work environment? If so, then read on!

Summary of Duties:

Under general supervision, performs difficult case management duties for programs administered by the City Social Services Department. Employees in this class handle those cases that require greater involvement in sensitive and traumatic situations and complex duties such as: interviewing/investigating and responding to referrals in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, adoptions, testifying in legal proceedings, and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employee establishes and maintains effective relationships with clients, families and other human service agencies and works to coordinate services and resources for clients of assigned caseload. Employees participate in a variety meetings such as: permanency planning team meetings, Family Partnership Meetings, Family Assessment and Planning Team Meetings (FAPT), and court proceedings. This position requires employee to be part of an on-call rotation that requires a one hour response time. Employees are also responsible for general case management duties to include maintaining a variety of records and files pertaining to assigned cases, writing and preparing various required reports. 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.

Recruitment if for foster care/adoption worker and requires candidate to have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a Human Services field or 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 implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a Human Services field Or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of 2 years appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area.

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check to include a clean search of the Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry (no current findings or cases associated to you).
• A valid Virginia State driver's license that meets the standards for the City of Fredericksburg.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Prior experience working for a LDSS.
• Ability to speak a language other than English.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides complex professional case management, referral and assistance to clients for an assigned caseload.
• Serves those cases that require greater involvement in sensitive and traumatic situations.
• Interviews clients and assesses client situations and need for services.
• Consults with family members, schools, hospitals and other human service organizations, and works with client to develop a service plan to meet client needs.
• Receives and investigates referred cases of suspected client abuse or neglect; visits homes, work places, and/or schools and interviews persons involved; determines validity of reports and makes assessments of proper courses of action; exercises emergency removal authority and petitions for emergency medical treatment, as deemed appropriate; petitions court, prepares case documentation and testifies in court, and conducts drug tests as necessary.
• Places children in foster care as necessary; monitors child's care in foster care home; coordinates and supervises parental visitation; works with foster parents to resolve issues and provide resources.
• Responds to after-hours emergency calls and provides emergency assistance and intervention, as needed.
• Performs a variety of clerical and administrative functions in support of assigned duties, and caseload management; good oral and written communication skills needed.
• May be required to staff an emergency shelter when necessary.
• This position is part of an On-Call rotation schedule and must be able to respond within 1 hour to an on-call emergency located in the City of Fredericksburg area when necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of local, State and federal laws, ordinances, rules and regulations governing social services programs, foster care, adoption, and child and adult protective services programs as administered through the State and City Social Services programs.
• Knowledge of the forms, documents and manuals associated with assigned social services programs.
• Knowledge of interviewing and interpersonal relationship techniques.
• Knowledge of the social and economic factors in the community and their effect on family interactions and problems.
• Knowledge of other programs administered through the City Social Services Department and other community human services agencies or volunteer groups.
• Ability to conduct interviews; to identify client needs; to consult with clients, families, schools and other agencies and organization; to develop and implement appropriate service plans; and to conduct investigations and detect child/adult abuse and/or neglect.

Work Environment:

The work is regularly performed in an environment where the employee must deal with crisis situations that require major decisions involving people, resources, and property. Tasks may risk exposure to high levels of stress from distressed clients and their families.

This position is eligible for telework (2 days a week once fully trained and approved by your Supervisor) according to established policy.

The City of Fredericksburg provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.