Family Services Specialist - Foster Care/Adoption

Description

The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foster Care/Adoption team is seeking qualified candidate for a Family Services Specialist position. This position will primarily work with children and families that have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Duties include managing a caseload of 15-20 children in foster care; working with community agencies to provide birth parents with assessments and services in an effort to reunify the family, identify and engage kin, and achieve permanency; monitoring parents' and children's progress in services/placements; submitting written reports to court and providing court testimony; providing support and supervision to foster and kinship parents; and maintaining compliance with state and agency policies. Must have experience with conflict management and strengths based, solution focused case management practices.

Salary is negotiable based on relevant education, experience and training.

Opportunities for advancement are available through a pay progression plan.

Successful candidate must possess a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable according to City criteria that includes

• -4 or fewer DMV demerit points

• No DWI/DUI convictions within the last three (3) years

• At least three (3) years of continuously valid licensing

• An overall pattern of safe motor vehicle operation and driving habits

Successful candidate must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen (including marijuana), and Child Protective Services Registry check.

Check out our competitive benefitswhich also includes paid parental leave.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.

• Makes comprehensive assessment of families/clients in crisis• Analyzes needs with family input, and coordinates resources to support the family/client

• Develops and implements a plan of action with the family/client;

• Engages family/client and community in problem solving, conflict resolution and achieving goals in order to resolve the crisis;

• Stabilizes and improves family/client living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to collateral resources;

• Executes complex and critical decisions involving families/clients in crisis, under adverse conditions;

• Performs scheduled and unscheduled field visits;

• Participates in extensive networking and collaboration with community and professional agencies, both public and private;

• Provides analysis, recommendations and testimony in complex court proceedings, which requires thorough assessment and documentation of the family/client's situations; assists in formulating recommendations on difficult and important technical problems relating to the court action;

• Interprets, implements and administers complex policies, regulations, and laws, and refines established complex procedures which require frequent independent thinking and resourcefulness in a complex environment.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to families/clients

• Processes financial documentation related to family/client services

• Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups, and associations;

• Identifies homes suitable for placement of children and adults

• Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations, and participates in interagency meetings such as FAPT, eligibility, and IEP meetings with schools;

• Transports clients to medical and mental health appointments

• Assists in the operation of emergency shelters.

• Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.

• When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education and Experience Required

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

To be hired a candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree in the human services field; or a baccalaureate degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years appropriate and related experience in a human services related area. Individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.

Additional Requirements

Possession of valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria. View City's Driving Criteria.

Must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen and Child Protective Services Registry check.

Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.