Title: Resource Family Policy Specialist #W0265

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $80,000/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services is currently seeking a Resource Family Policy Specialist. This position is responsible for applying comprehensive knowledge of resource family and family engagement practices and the Virginia Practice Model to promote a Kin First culture within Virginia's child welfare system. The Resource Family Policy Specialist is responsible for ensuring that guidance and regulations are consistent with federal/state law and will assist in the convening and facilitation of meetings such as the Permanency Advisory Committee to ensure input and feedback is solicited for DFS programs on legislation, regulations, policy, and guidance in the permanency programs.   This position will assist in the development and implementation of policies and practices that address inequities in the child welfare system to eliminate disparate entry into foster care and will collaborate with the Program areas of IV-E, Licensing, CSA, Prevention, Foster Care and Adoption to help align policies and guidance to promote a kin first continuum, improve coordination and integration, and provide consistency across child welfare programs.

The position will provide leadership and coordination of guidance and support for best practices regarding family engagement and the process of approving and supporting kinship foster parents as well as foster and adoptive families to support the local Department of Social Services (LDSS) in meeting agency performance outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and implementing local, state, and federal regulations related to child welfare.
• Knowledge of family engagement practices and resource family regulations.
• Knowledge and experience with approving and supporting relatives as foster parents.
• Knowledge of effective methods of recruiting and assessing foster and adoptive families.
• Commitment to supporting best practices in local departments.
• Ability to analyze and interpret statistical results.
• Ability to respond to internal and external customers in a timely manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to influence others through positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize in order to manage workload.

Additional Considerations

• Significant experience related to assessing and approving kinship, foster and adoptive families as well as experience interpreting and implementing local, state and federal regulations.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and additional considerations as stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

VDSS does not provide sponsorship.

VDSS is an official certified state agency that values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

If you have been affected by Policy 1.30 Layoff as a state employee and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Card (Blue Card), you must submit this document through the “Virginia Jobs” (PageUp) employment site when you apply.

Contact Information

Name: VDSS - Division of Human Resources

Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.