Job Description

General Summary

Contribute to the delivery of programs and services in Charlottesville that support meeting essential needs, which promote self-sufficiency, and that enhance the quality of life for all residents in our community. The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for the position of Family Services Specialist - Foster Care   who are highly motivated and who strive for success by demonstrating Charlottesville's Core Values of Commitment, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Collaboration.  

The preferred hiring amount is between $26.81 - 35.79 Hourly ($55,764.80 - $74,443.20 Annually ) .   Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities. 

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City,  please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit .
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system  and does not participate in VRS,  however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

This position performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs with casework focused on the families and children who are in foster care, including completing intensive family finding training across the child welfare continuum as well as conducting Family Partnership Meetings. Work involves issues of abuse/neglect, family violence, children with special needs, children and teens who are court-involved; does related work as required and/or performs clinical work. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Social Services Family Services Supervisor.   

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Assesses needs of clients and families which may include but is not limited to
  • Investigates referrals
  • Interviews clients and family members as needed,
  • Takes applications for services,
  • Determines service eligibility,
  • Works with and counsels clients,
  • Provides protection and care to abandoned, abused or neglected children and adults
  • Makes appropriate referrals for services,
• Prepares social studies in the formulation, delivery and assessment of service plans, and prepares related documentation.
• Makes field visits to client residences and assesses/monitor situation and/or progress.
• Assists and supports clients in problem-solving and in their use of agency and other resources.
• Makes referrals to clients, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.
• May identify homes suitable for adoption.
• Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.
• Performs work with specific ancillary agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to clients.
• Testifies in court proceedings and makes recommendations to petitions to legal authorities.
• Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups and associations.
• Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations.
• Maintains case records and prepares statistical and other reports and documentation.
• Processes financial documentation related to client services.
• May diagnose (based on a recognized manual of mental and emotional disorders or recognized system of problem definition) and provide psychotherapy and counseling (for mental disorders, substance abuse, marriage and family dysfunction, and problems caused by social and psychological stress or health impairment) if licensed.
• Will be included in on-call rotation and expected to respond within agency time-frame.
• May assist in the training of other staff, volunteers and student interns..
• May be asked to work during emergency operations as outlined in department continuity of operations plan.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Education, Experience and Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimally requires a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field. (Or minimally, a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two (2) years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services may be substituted as equivalent.)

• Requires general knowledge of: social, economic and health problems; individual and group behavior; child, adolescent, adult and geriatric behavior and the practices and techniques of interviewing, counseling and investigating problems; principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, family service, employment services, public assistance and/or protective service work.

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Master's Degree in Social Work or related field preferred.

• Preference for experience in foster care with a public agency during the past five (5) years.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or qualified and able to obtain a valid VA driver's license prior to beginning the position. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit ).

• Possession of all requirements for entry level as specified by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Skills: Also requires ability to: identify social problems and needs and to assess the ability of individuals and families to utilize services in problem-solving; plan and organize work and to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations; communicate and establish effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other professional and technical staff, social agencies, and the general public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; prepare reports and maintain records.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Work occurs in an office setting, and may also occur in client homes, meetings and collaboration in other community agencies, and involvement in court hearings. Frequent contacts with individuals, families, extended families and other stakeholders, other professionals and paraprofessionals requiring skill and tact in dealing with sensitive, controversial and confidential material. Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances. May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.

A pre-hire background check will be conducted on all candidates who are selected for employment with the Department of Social Services. It will include a criminal record check and a child abuse/neglect registry search. Additionally, a driving record check and education verification may be conducted if applicable.

Please note: The Charlottesville Department of Social Services is unable to hire any applicant, intern, or volunteer if the criminal record check reveals a conviction for, or arrest awaiting final disposition of a barrier crime as set forth in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of Virginia. Please click here for the list of barrier crimes:   

Note:   This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

 

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov .

 

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana. 

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