Frederick County Department of Social Services is one of the 120 locally-administered, state-supervised agencies who work in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services to help those in our community most in need. Our mission is to deliver client centered, quality human services that help the citizens of Frederick County achieve safety, independence, and overall well-being. Frederick County is located at the tip of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and is in the northernmost corner of the state of Virginia. The county sits at the mouth of the Shenandoah Valley with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. Frederick County staff are guided by its values which are to be people focused, committed to excellence and to respect differences so that the agency can continue to provide exceptional and innovative social services to its citizens. The Family Services Specialist II is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist III by the latter's functioning at the advanced level, and becoming more specialized in program areas and assuming more complex duties (such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions).
This is the full performance level in the occupational group for Family Services. Employees are responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans involving the application of casework methods in Employment Services and Child Care, and basic service level caseloads of Child Protective Services. Employees may provide services in all program areas or specialize in one or several program areas. Typically, employees perform all tasks independently and only seek supervisory advice on unusual situations or when policies and procedures require supervisory review or involvement.
Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility; Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned; Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility; Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems. Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate; Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans; Provides case management services to monitor compliance; Manages program waiting lists; Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements; Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers; Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility; Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
Minimum Qualifications
Working knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; and social, economic, and health problems.
Skills- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.
Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.
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). 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. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Preferred QualificationsConsiderable experience in assigned program area (i.e. Front-line CPS) and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Special Requirements
Requires occasional work outside of normal business hours. Reoccurring out of state travel may be required.
All applicants are subject to DMV/driving record check, pre-employment drug screen, Central Registry (CPS) check and/or criminal history search.
The investigation may include: fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications are accepted on-line only through this posting. Faxed, mailed, resume, e-mailed or hand delivered applications will not be considered.
This position is open until filled recruitment.
This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.
Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application/resume.
Please refer to your Local HR Connect account for the status of your application and this position.
Applications will only be accepted through this site
VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
