Salary : $50,544.00 - $63,897.60 Annually

Location : Charlottesville, VA

Job Type: Regular Full-Time

Job Number: 240200038

Department: Human Services

Division: Community Attention Programs

Opening Date: 04/03/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Bargaining Unit: N/A

General Summary

The Department of Human Services is currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Family Services Specialist Our department works collaboratively towards building just, equitable, antiracist communities. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing, the economy, child welfare) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential. We believe in the dignity, resilience, and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes equitable access and opportunity. Systemic and institutional inequities, especially in matters of race, remain significant barriers for people and communities working to reach their full potential. We choose to challenge and dismantle systems that perpetuate inequities which includes addressing and redressing the historic and current work of the Department of Human Services.

The Family Services Specialist position is part of Community Attention Foster Families, a program of the Department of Human Services, and is responsible professional work in the support and assistance of agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs; does related work as required. May be assigned to a specific functional area (Foster Care, Family Assessment, Case Management, etc.) and/or perform clinical work. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Human Services Program Supervisor.
The preferred hiring range for this position is between $24.30 - $30.72 Hourly ($50,544.00 - $63,897.60 Annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement (up to $34/month), and continuing education/training opportunities.

For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit
The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

NOTE: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

Assesses needs of clients and families which may include but is not limited to
- Investigates referrals
- Interviews clients and family members as needed,
- Takes applications for services,
- Determines service eligibility,
- Works with and counsels clients,
- Provides protection and care to abandoned, abused or neglected children and adults
- Makes appropriate referrals for services,
Prepares social studies in the formulation, delivery and assessment of service plans, and prepares related documentation.
Makes field visits to client residences and assesses/monitor situation and/or progress.
Assists and supports clients in problem-solving and in their use of agency and other resources.
Makes referrals to clients, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.
May identify homes suitable for adoption.
Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.
Performs work with specific ancillary agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts.
Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to clients.
Testifies in court proceedings and makes recommendations to petitions to legal authorities.
Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups and associations.
Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations.
Maintains case records and prepares statistical and other reports and documentation.
Processes financial documentation related to client services.
May diagnose (based on a recognized manual of mental and emotional disorders or recognized system of problem definition) and provide psychotherapy and counseling (for mental disorders, substance abuse, marriage and family dysfunction, and problems caused by social and psychological stress or health impairment) if licensed.
Will be included in on-call rotation and expected to respond within agency time-frame.
May assist in the training of other staff, volunteers and student interns..
May be asked to work during emergency operations as outlined in department continuity of operations plan.
Performs related tasks as required.

Education, Experience and Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimally requires a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field. (Or minimally, 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 may be substituted as equivalent.)
Requires general knowledge of: social, economic and health problems; individual and group behavior; child, adolescent, adult and geriatric behavior and the practices and techniques of interviewing, counseling and investigating problems; principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, family service, employment services, public assistance and/or protective service work.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.
Preference for experience in foster care with a public agency during the past five (5) years.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or qualified and able to obtain a valid VA driver's license prior to beginning the position. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit
Possession of all requirements for entry level as specified by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Skills: Also requires ability to: identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability of individuals and families to utilize services in problem-solving; plan and organize work and to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations; communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies, and the general public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; prepare reports and maintain records.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Work occurs in an office setting, and may also occur in client homes, meetings and collaboration in other community agencies, and involvement in court hearings. Frequent contacts with individuals, families, extended families and other stakeholders, other professionals and paraprofessionals requiring skill and tact in dealing with sensitive, controversial and confidential material. Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances. May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated July 1, 2022

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation:
- 3.09 hours accrued biweekly0 - <3 years
- 3.85 hours accrued biweekly3 - <5 years
- 4.62 hours accrued biweekly5 - <10 years
- 5.40 hours accrued biweekly10 - <15 years
- 6.16 hours accrued biweekly15 - <20 years
- 6.93 hours accrued biweekly20 - <25 years
- 7.70 hours accrued biweekly25+ years
Sick:
- 4.62 hours per biweekly pay period, approximately 120 hours a years, no limit on accumulation
Holidays:
- 14 paid holidays per calendar year (13 observed and 1 floating)

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical -
- Choose from three options with different premiums and levels of coverage and coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire:
  - HMO: $0 premium for employee only coverage
  - POS 1: Employee-only premium of $36.28 per biweekly pay
  - POS 2: Employee-only premium of $13.02 per biweekly pay
    - (Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.)
- Prescription Card ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand, $55 higher cost name brand)
- Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60 lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand)

Dental (Delta Dental)
- No cost for employee only coverage. Dependent coverage is available but the cost of the premium is not subsidized.
- Diagnosis and Preventive100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care - 80%; Major Dental Care - 50%
- Primary$50 deductible, 80/20
- Prosthetic & Complex Restorative$50 deductible, 50/50
- $1,500 maximum annual benefit
- $1,000 Orthodontic Benefit
MetLife Vision Plan: Optional
- Employee only coverage: $2.50 bi-weekly; Dependent coverage also available at differing rates.
- Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay;
- $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.
Life:
- Two times annual salary (paid by the City)
- Optional supplemental life available for employee, spouse, dependents (paid by employee)
AFLAC: Optional
- Cancer/accident/short term disability/intensive care insurance (paid by employee)

Long Term Disability
- Protection from income loss due to long-term illness or injury (paid by the City)

3. RETIREMENT: The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS. There are certain provisions that must be met and the portability request must be executed within 18 months of vesting in the City's Plan.

Pension:
- Choose from two options:
  - A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5 year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  - A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note that: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees)

Supplemental:
- Deferred Compensation (457) - employee contribution

4. OTHER BENEFITS:

Flexible Spending Accounts:
- Health Care Expenses
- Dependent Care Expenses
- Parking/Mass Transit Expenses
- Parking Subsidy of $50 per month
Wellness Programs:
- Gym Reimbursement Program
- Monthly On-Site Nurse and Annual Flu Shots
- Health Screenings and Fairs, Education Sessions, & Weekly Fitness Classes
- Weight Watchers at Work
Bike Commuter Program:
- Reimbursement of up to $20 per month for reasonable bike commuting expenses
Employee Assistance Program:
- A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.
Tuition Reimbursement Program:
- Up to $1,500 for undergraduate OR Up to $3,000 for graduate level tuition per fiscal year per employee.

01

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field?

02

If 'No' was selected to question #1, do you have a Bachelor's Degree in any field with at least two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area?(must be verifiable in reference to the education and work history section on your online application)

03

What is your level of experience in human service or social work?

No experience
Less than two years
Two to less than five years
Five to less than seven years
Seven to less than ten years
Ten years or greater

04

Briefly describe your knowledge of the principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, family services, employment services, public assistance and/or protective service work. If no experience, please write 'none.'

05

Please explain your work and/or volunteer experience working with a socially and economically diverse population. If none, please write 'none.'

06

Please respond giving evidence of your ability to communicate purposefully and effectively with clients, co-workers, and other professionals. If none, please write 'None.'

07

This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid driver's license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record. Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

Yes; I possess a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
No; I do not have a valid driver's license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

08

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

09

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

Required Question