Job Summary

$52,254 - $100,292 / year DOQ and Level + Full-Time County Benefits 

Performs responsible work providing support and assistance to agency customers with personal, social, health, and economic needs; counsels clients, makes referrals, determines eligibility for social services, and serves as liaison between clients and ancillary agencies providing services. There are three levels of Family Services Specialist distinguished by the level of work performed and the qualifications of the employee.

There are three levels of Family Services Specialist distinguished by the level of work performed and the qualifications of the employee.

Family Services Specialist I: $52,254 - $81,393 / DOQ
Family Services Specialist II: $55,910 - $87,242 / DOQ
Family Services Specialist III: $64,066 - $100,292 / DOQ

Responsibilities

• Counsels and provides services to families and individuals by focusing on family preservation and reunification; monitors progress of customers; implements court ordered services; works with families to prevent crises.
• Provides protective services to children, the elderly, and the disabled in the community; secures the well-being of children, older adults, and families; removes victims from homes if necessary; provides after hours on-call services and emergency intervention.
• Manages assigned caseload by maintaining files, telephone contacts, referrals to private vendors for services, and preparing documents.
• Conducts field visits to schools, homes, and hospitals; makes referrals; coordinates with law enforcement and school personnel; makes serious and complex decisions and defends them in court.
• 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; serves as client advocate in accessing services and working with other agencies such as schools, courts, and mental health professionals.
• Provides assessment and case management for customers; develops and implements service plans to address family and individual needs.
• Provides 24-hour on-call responsibilities and is trained to provide emergency interventions.
• (Family Services Specialist III) Assists in case-related situations; represents the agency by actively serving on local, regional and state workgroups and taskforces; provides trainings for agency staff and/or community partners; covers cases during absences, leave and vacancies.

Qualifications:

 • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in any field with a 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 Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Master’s degree in Social Work and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are preferred.

• Must possess, or obtain within 30 days of hire, a valid Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on James City
County’s criteria.

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service including setting and meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Skill in use of computer software, especially Microsoft OfficeSuite.

• Ability to analyze and use judgment in accomplishing diversified duties; think independently within the limits of policies, standards, and precedents.

Family Services Specialist I: No additional requirements.

Family Services Specialist II: Considerable human services related experience, Master’s Degree preferred; demonstrated ability to perform effective social work in the areas of adult protective services, foster care, and/or child protective services; accurately complete impartial adult or child protective service investigations within an appropriate time frame; must possess Family Partnership Facilitator certification; completion of all Virginia Department of Social Services training requirements for field of specialization.

Family Services Specialist III: Employed at James City County Social Services for a minimum of 24 consecutive months; extensive experience in a local department of Social Services, with considerable experience in adult protective services, foster care, and/or child protective services; or a Master’s Degree in Human Services or related field and considerable experience in a local department of social services in one of the program areas; demonstrated proficiency in intervening in complex case situations, including case-related court involvement; knowledge of field of specialization as evidenced by advanced training in program area and leadership techniques.