Family Services Specialist III - Adult Protective Services

This is a Family Service Specialist III position in the Adult Protective Services (APS) Unit. This is a lead position responsible for the supervision of 2-3 staff in addition to maintaining a caseload of high trauma/serious cases of abused and neglected adults. Adult Protective Services is a State mandated program responsible for the investigation of reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults age 60 or older or incapacitated adults age 18 to 59 with serious disabilities. Investigations are completed in the adult's home, nursing facilities, and facilities for individuals' with mental illness or developmental disabilities; alongside a wide variety of allied professionals such as physicians, law enforcement officers, and the circuit court to protect the victim at every extent possible. This FSS III is responsible for a myriad of responsibilities. Duties includes:

• Provides administrative and supervisory oversight of staff to ensure quality casework and adherence to polices.

• Renders specialized and difficult casework services, which may require a smaller caseload.

• Provides crisis intervention in potentially dangerous situations

• Monitoring of staff and case review with regard to ongoing reassessment of client need, service efficacy, and appropriate revision of the case plan.

• Interviews victims, perpetrators and collaterals

• Determines whether the adult is in need of protective services

• Assesses service needs to ensure the safety and protection of the adult

• Prepares and staffs investigations for disposition

• Engages in the provision of services to stop and prevent further abuse.

• Documents the investigation and the need for protective services into the State system

• Initiates legal actions such as petition for guardianship, conservatorship, and protective orders to protect the incapacitated person or his or her assets from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

• Perform after-hours on-call duty of Child Welfare and Adult Protective Services.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT: In order to be evaluated for vacancies in the Family Services Specialist job series, applicants shall possess the qualifications outlined in (1) OR (2) below:

1. A minimum of a bachelor's degree in the human services field, including Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Counselor Education, Human Services, Sociology, Family and Child Development, Aging Studies, Gerontology, Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies, or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content.

2. A minimum of a bachelor's degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience in a human services-related area.

To be considered for promotion, persons currently employed in the Family Services Specialist job series by a local department prior to January 1, 1999, who do not meet the qualifications outlined in either (1) or (2) above, must possess four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all available competency-based training related to the promotional area.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of four years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES: Requires a valid driver's license and a driving record in compliance with City Driving Standards.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Emergency Duty (On-Call) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.2-1503,B; Section 63.2-900; and 63.2-1604-63.2-1610, Code of Virginia. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years conducting Adult Protective Services investigations.

• Knowledge of APS-Peer Place system

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs

• Supervises Social Workers, Assistants and/or others