Family Finding Specialist (Grant-Funded Family Services Specialist)

This is a 1-to-5 year grant-funded position contingent upon the continued availability of funding and compliance with the applicable grant requirements (Collaborative Grant through the Virginia Department of Social Services).

About the role

This Family Services Specialist performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of children and families through ongoing case management services, including assessment, service planning, referrals, and monitoring. As part of the grant, this position will collaborate with partner agencies to identify and connect children in foster care with extended family members or other supportive adults, with a goal of building a lifelong support network that promotes permanency, belonging, and improved outcomes. Functioning as an investigator, negotiator, and relationship builder, the work is accomplished through intensive family-finding strategies and by building trust with relatives and other potential supports to establish meaningful relationships or kinship placements. Work is performed under supervision and reports to a Human Services Program Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Completes Mutual Family Assessments to determine eligibility to become a foster family.
• Transports program participants.
• May be responsible for support functions such as equipment maintenance, stocking inventory supplies, and/or oversight of vehicle maintenance.
• May work in a community-based setting primarily with adolescents and their families.
• May develop and/or facilitate various group meetings and/or recreational or educational activities.
• Assesses the needs of clients and families to develop a service plan.
• Investigates referrals and interviews clients as needed.
• Takes applications for services and determines service eligibility.
• Assesses/monitors situations and progress of clients by conducting field visits.
• Provides clinical and/or non-clinical services to families by listening to concerns and monitoring progress.
• Completes associated casework within associated timelines; prepares and submits court-related documentation within established deadlines.
• May testify in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Develops contacts and collaborates with community partners and service providers to make referrals for services to appropriate community resources and maintain relationships and continued referrals to programs.
• Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services.
• Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
• Conducts monthly home visits and may coordinate progress with the treatment team as necessary.
• May be responsible as an on-call staff on a rotating basis.
• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or similar area. OR Bachelor's degree in any field AND 2 years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services related field.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
• Directly related experience (case management services) in Virginia within the past 2 years.
• Ability to communicate in a second language.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge and complete comprehension of eligibility requirements for public assistance, principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, employment services, family services and/or protective service work, and state and federal procedures and legal terminology.
• Knowledge of counseling and social work principles and practices.
• Knowledge of community services and facilities available for clients served.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and behavior change techniques.
• Knowledge of human behavior and of current social, economic, and health problems of the community served.
• Ability to read and understand complex written materials, such as policies, regulations, and professional articles/journals.
• Ability to organize data, maintain case records, and write clear and concise reports.
• Ability to work with, understand, and apply simple formulas to process financial documentation related to client services, reimbursements, and prepare statistical reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, co-workers, city staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Comprehensive knowledge of techniques for interviewing, counseling, and investigating problems.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department software.
• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and deal with interruptions.
• Ability to work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Health insurance options with employer contribution.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• City's retirement options.
• Gym membership reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Continuing education/training opportunities.

Pay

The preferred hiring amount is between $56,326.40 - $59,870 annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, internal equity, and available funding through the collaborative grant.

Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule, which may include weekends, mornings, afternoons, and/or evenings. May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.

Physical Conditions

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to frequently remain in a stationary position.
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in various situations.
• Ability to observe at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screens for extended periods of time, monitor glare, and dust. Work may also occur in client homes, facilities of other agencies, and/or court buildings. Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances. The noise level is typically moderate and may vary depending on work site.