Title Description:
General Description and Conditions of Work:
The Family Services Specialist III, Prevention position, is a professional position supervised by a Family Services Supervisor with Shenandoah Valley Social Services. The Agency serves the County of Augusta and the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. This position performs tasks in the provision of social services working in the Prevention Unit with children and families who have been identified through a CPS Investigation or Family Assessment as having High or Very High Risk for future Abuse/Neglect or who have been identified as having risk or potential risk of entering foster care. The employee will engage with families to maintain the child safely in their homes or with relative/kin caregivers in their own communities and work with multiple programs within the agency and with community partners to ensure the safety, well-being, and permanency of the child and will ensure services are provided to meet the needs of the family by accessing appropriate funding sources as needed.
General tasks include but not limited to:
Completes required agency and program specific training; complete emergency shelter duty training and serve in shelters as mandated and required. Possible after hours and weekend work; work during inclement weather; work during other unusual conditions or overnight travel may be required. Acceptable Central Registry, Criminal Background, and DMV Driving Records are required as a condition of employment.
Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification):
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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
Knowledge of: Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices; recognition of factors leading to abuse and neglect; family engagement practices; trauma informed care; factors leading to economic, health, and family relations problems; and laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; community services.
Skills in: Proficient use of various computer software programs (Microsoft Office Products including Word and Excel, Google Email, electronic data, and case management systems); data entry, operating a computer/laptop, printer, scanner, and a variety of standard office machines (copy scanning, fax machines, and multi-line phone system) and equipment; operation of a motor vehicle; good time management practices; interviewing children and families; providing and accepting feedback.
Demonstrated ability to Plan, organize and manage own work activities including, preparing accurate reports and correspondence, maintain timely documentation and related activities: understand and interpret laws. policies and regulations; clearly and effectively communicate ideas both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, engage families and refer clients to resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to ensure the delivery of appropriate services; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies and regulations; respond to child and family emotions and other issues with empathy and objective understanding in order to accomplish service objectives; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates and other social service agencies and the general public; work as part of a team, and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field. Must be able to gain understanding of CSA, other service units, and benefit programs and be able to effectively provide information and respond to questions from groups, clients, case managers, and the general public.
Special Requirements/Experience:
Completes required agency and program specific training; complete emergency shelter duty training and serve in shelters as mandated and required. Possible after hours and weekend work; work during inclement weather; work during other unusual conditions or overnight travel may be required. Possession of a valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Driving record must meet local agency policy requirements.
The investigation may include 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. Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
APPLICATIONS, RESUMES, AND REFERENCES FOR THIS POSITION MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. A RESUME MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH APPLICATION. MAILED, EMAILED, FAXED OR HAND DELIVERED APPLICATIONS AND RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information provided within the application and/or resume. Applications/Resumes must include complete work history.
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.
