Title: Program Administration Specialist I, Family Services Adoption P0063

State Role Title: Community and Social Svc Specialists, All Other

Hiring Range: up to $30.00 per hour, commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: 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.

This is an hourly/wage position and does not include the Commonwealth of Virginia’s state benefits package. This position is limited to no more than 1500 hours in a 12-month period and averages no more than 29 hours a week.

About The Position:

The Program Administration Specialist I for the Family Services Adoption division is responsible for the disclosure of confidential, identifying and nonidentifying information from the closed adoption records, as allowed by law; administers access to information in the finalized adoption records by providing case management services to adoptees and their adoptive and birth families; provides technical assistance on disclosure guidance and laws to child placing agencies, courts, attorneys, adoptees, adoptive parents, birth family members, and other state agencies. Identifies and implements efficiencies in adoption disclosure procedures to ensure compliance with the Code of Virginia and policy-based timelines; conducts other duties as assigned. This position supports the adoptee, adoptive parents, and birth family members and therefore, supports the permanency for these individuals and helps to strengthen the entire family unit.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have demonstrated:

Working knowledge of applicable adoption records and disclosure laws and guidance and has knowledge of the adoption process and the types of adoptions.

Knowledge of the organization’s purpose and mission and business needs. Knowledge and experience in achieving results and solving problems. Skills in customer service and interpersonal communication. Skills in teamwork including collaborating and cooperating to get the job done. Ability and experience in fulfilling the needs of internal and external customers. Ability to attain goals and objectives and operate from a results-focused perspective. Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships, exchanging ideas and opinions. Ability to lead by motivating, influencing, and supporting others to accomplish team and organizational goals. Ability to plan, organize, and manage own time and work>

Additional Considerations

Previous experience or equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities.

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.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) 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 stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. This website will provide confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and 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.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis.

VDSS 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.

Virginia Department of Social Services does not provide sponsorship.

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

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply.

For more information about our employment practices, please visit our “Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan”. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

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.