Family Services Worker II - Foster Care

The City of Norfolk's Department of Human Services (NDHS) provides a wide range of essential services to its citizens. These services are crucial in supporting the wellbeing of the community and ensuring that all citizens have access to the resources they need. NDHS is committed to providing such comprehensive support to its citizens.

The NDHS Foster Care and Adoption Program serves youth ages birth-21 that are in foster care or have been adopted from foster care. This program also recruits, trains, certifies and supports foster parents that work with the youth in the program.

The NDHS is seeking to fill a Family Services Worker II position in their Foster Care division.  The Family Services Worker II will help prepare children and families for the transition into foster/adoptive homes; provide support to children and families in finalizing adoptions; work directly with biological parents and/or relatives to prepare for transition and return to their custody.

Departmental Hiring Salary Range:  $50,624- $58,217   

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Manages caseloads by maintaining files, telephone contacts, referrals to private vendors for services, preparing documents, filing, authorizing payments, and providing coverage as a lead worker.

• Develop and provide training to Resource and Adoptive parents as well as complete home assessments, adoption reports, service plans and other assigned assessments/reports.

• Provide case management in conjunction with the supervisor and other relevant parties. Keeping factual and timely formal records through the use of computer based and other information systems. Co-operating with any agreed quality assurance process operated by the Service.

• Perform related duties by preparing written reports of findings, providing on-call and emergency response for reports of abuse and neglect, attending and coordinating related meetings, and seeking to resolve crisis situations.

• Makes referrals for services by being knowledgeable of local services and resources, working with service providers in the community, serving on interagency service assessment teams, serving as a client advocate in accessing services and working with other agencies such as schools, courts and mental health providers.

• Collaborates with other staff in locating foster homes, group homes, and residential treatment facilities based on child's service needs.

• Provides group counseling by providing training to citizens and professionals pertaining to social issues and services.

• Participates in staff and training meetings as assigned.

• Must be knowledgeable of foster care and adoption practices.

• Required to serve in Norfolk's Foster Care Program After Hours On-call rotation after six (6) months of employment.

• All employees are called upon to serve shelter duty in times of emergency and/or natural disaster.

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Two (2) years experience in social services.

• Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.

• Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus.