Family Services Specialist III

Job Description:  This is a sensitive and essential position. This position investigates allegations of child abuse/neglect.  Interview in cases involving suspected child abuse/neglect.  Testify in legal proceedings. Coordinate services for families and children to promote well-being and safety.  Interview to gather data in regard to social, emotional, health, and economic circumstances. Provide court-ordered home studies. Conducts work in the office and the field.  Provide shelter duty in times of emergencies and natural disasters. The position requires being a professional with a positive attitude and a team player with an ongoing working relationship within the agency and community.  Position may be supervised by CPS Supervisor, Assistant Director, or Director.

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s):   Knowledge of:  social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.  Skills:  Operate personal computer, agency vehicles, fax and copy machines; work within multiple computer programs; answering the telephone and obtaining relevant information from phone contacts.  Ability to:  Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; ability to testify in court proceedings; interpret program laws, policies and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; analyze case information to make sound judgements within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.  

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. Completion of all mandated courses and maintain certifications to provide services.  Possession of a BSW or MSW degree is desirable.