Job Description
Provides responsible and equitable protection for abused, neglected, abandoned, and at-risk children and their families. Performs specialized, complex professional investigations and assessments for families in Child Protective Services in an inclusive team environment in accordance with Va. Law and Policy and established investigative, casework, and counseling principles. Uses and asset-based approach to engage with the client system to support and assist them with safety, personal, family, social, health, and economic needs. Empowers the client/family to attain their highest level of self- sufficiency. As an organization, ACDSS is committed to building a diverse team of contributors who believe and work from the foundation of our core values of equity and inclusion, hope, respect, opportunity, and self-determination.
Essential Functions:
Ascertains validity of reports of child abuse and neglect applying Va. Law and policy.
Assesses the situation with regard to the presence of imminent threat to the child's life, health and/or safety to determine urgency of response.
Analyzes complex human behavior throughout contact with families.
Selects the optimal crisis intervention method to de-escalate violent or volatile situations when they arise.
Sets clear boundaries for clients who are intimidating, defiant, and possibly dangerous.
Observes and documents the effects of family behavior and environmental factors on the child.
Balances the use of CPS statutory authority with the need to determine the least invasive intervention to protect the child and enhance family functioning.
Demonstrates attentiveness, reassurance, empathy, and congruence in thinking, feeling, and acting to create a stable, rational atmosphere conducive to cooperation and engagement.
Communicates the CPS complaint and the agency's role in child protection clearly and honestly to the alleged abuser and the family.
Interviews family members to assess and document information regarding strengths, mental and physical development, abuse history, parenting skills, perceptions of reported incident, violence, and family and community support.
Assesses the role of drug or alcohol abuse in individual and family dysfunction and intervenes for the protection of children and the rehabilitation of chemically dependent individuals and their codependent family systems when applicable.
Evaluates the reliability and accuracy of information gathered from family members and determines level of risk after the initial period of crisis intervention.
Continues to revise safety assessment of the child throughout the investigative/assessment period.
Gathers, assesses, and/or disseminates sensitive, collateral information about the family from a variety of sources according to Va. Confidentiality law and policy and respecting family privacy.
Analyzes and interprets pertinent professional reports and other data.
Refers clients for services to other human service agencies such as substance use services, mental and physical health providers, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.
Mediates among involved legal, medical, law enforcement, educational and mental health professionals. Makes determination regarding conditions of abuse, neglect, and/or safety of the child withing policy mandated timeframes.
Determines future risk to the child and makes decisions as to the course of action to ensure the child's future safety, which may include recommendations for removal and the actual removal of the child from the parent(s) when necessary, according to Va. Law and policy.
Provides coverage after hours and on weekends, on an on-call basis, for emergencies involving abuse or neglect of children and adolescents, and for situations requiring immediate attention regarding children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services.
Performs other related tasks as assigned.
Competency: Knowledge/ Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development, family structure and dynamics, the impact of handicapping physical and mental conditions on families, and crisis intervention.
Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems and needs. Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
Ability to understand and interpret laws, regulations and policies.
Ability to develop rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds and ages through complex interviewing techniques, using a variety of skills.
Ability to handle a high level of responsibility in making decisions about children and their families' lives.
Thorough knowledge of goals, pertinent terminology and issues of other professions, including medical, mental health, legal, educational and law enforcement.
Ability to assess the individual's and families' capability to utilize services.
Ability to recognize and accept the rights, responsibilities, and differences of others.
Ability to work effectively using a variety of modalities in helping families solve their problems.
Ability to plan and organize work.
Ability to communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies, and the general public.
Ability to prepare reports and maintain records.
Required Education and Experience:
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.
Experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Preferred Qualifications/Certifications:
Physical and Mental Requirements:
Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Workers in this position are required to drive, and they must meet eligibility requirements of the County’s safe driver policy. Delivers work to the public typically in clients' home, often in remote rural areas.
Workers must be willing to travel occasionally overnight and may be required to assist in managing emergency shelters for the public. The candidate may be subject to criminal history and central registry background checks.
Frequent contacts with clients and coordination with other public and private agencies (I.e. school, courts, clinics, etc.) are required.
Involves frequent driving, walking, and standing. Must be able to assist physically dependent individuals.
Remote Work:
This position is not eligible for remote work. All County staff must maintain residence within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Albemarle County Core Values:
Albemarle County holds its employees to the highest standards in fulfilling the County’s Vision and Mission. We believe in excellence in public service through
Community: We expect diversity, equity and inclusion to be integrated into how we live our mission.
Integrity: We value our customers and co-workers by always providing honest and fair treatment.
Innovation: We embrace creativity and positive change.
Stewardship: We honor our role as stewards of the public trust by managing our natural, human, and financial resources respectfully and responsibly.
Learning: We encourage and support lifelong learning and personal and professional growth.
**PLEASE INCLUDE COVER LETTER, RESUME, TRANSCRIPTS, AND THREE REFERENCES
Contact Information:
For questions related to this posting, please contact: Kiersten Trader
