Family Services Specialist I/Ii (Buckingham)

Hiring Range: $38,535.00 to May be higher commensurate with experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Buckingham County Department of Social Services, located in the geographic center of Virginia, is a rural agency surrounded by beautiful countryside, a backdrop of the mountains, and amazing sunsets. We are located close to Charlottesville, Farmville, Historic Appomattox, and several State Parks. We have approximately 25 employees of diverse experience and backgrounds. Our agency promotes a team concept as we strive to improve the lives of others in our community. Our agency works cooperatively with the Virginia Department of Social Services and our community to design and deliver high-quality human services that help our residents achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being. We strive to build partnerships within our community to provide our residents with access to resources and services they need to build strong futures for themselves, their families, and their community. Come join our team and enjoy the slower pace and beauty of county living at its best.

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/'Adoption, Childcare, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities, and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter's functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

Family Services Specialist II is the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in Employment Services and Childcare, and basic service level caseloads of Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Adoptions. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically, employees perform all tasks independently and only seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).

General Work Tasks -

• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned;

• Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility;

• Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors - such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems.

• Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate;

• Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans;

• Provides case management services to monitor compliance;

• Manages program waiting lists;

• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services;

• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements;

• Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;

• Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility;

• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and

• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.

Minimum Qualifications:

Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.

Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of 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 and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Applicants that will be awarded their degree in May or June 2024 are encouraged to apply. Please include the Bachelor's degree you expect to receive.

Preferred Qualifications: Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Special Requirements: Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/Driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings. Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please be sure to provide detailed information regarding your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application.

First screening of applicants will be May 15, 2024

Next screening of applicants will be June 3, 2024

Next screening of applicants will be July 1, 2024