What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Services Specialist I - Child Protective Services position at City of Lynchburg, VA?
Description
Performs responsible professional work in recognizing and supporting the power of individuals and families to speak about their well-being, find solutions, and continue to grow as a family. This position will work on the behalf of a client, family and/or community, communicating with decision makers, and initiating actions to secure or enhance a needed service, resource or benefit.
Essential Duties
- Makes comprehensive assessment of families/clients in crisis
- Analyzes needs and coordinates resources, which will support the family/client
- Develops and implements a plan of action for the family/client which directly involves family/client input
- Engages family/client and community in problem solving, conflict resolution and achieving goals in order to resolve the crisis
- Stabilizes and improves family/client living and interpersonal skills through counseling and referrals to collateral resources
- Executes complex and critical decisions involving families/clients in crisis, under possible adverse conditions
- Performs scheduled and unscheduled field visits in frequently highly volatile and dangerous environments
- Participates in extensive networking and collaboration with community and professional agencies, both public and private
- Provides analysis, recommendations and testimony in complex court proceedings, which requires thorough assessment and documentation of the family/client's situations; assists in formulating recommendations on difficult and important technical problems relating to the court action
- Interprets, implements and administers complex policies, regulations, and laws, and refines established complex procedures which require frequent independent thinking and resourcefulness in a complex environment
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
- Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to families/clients
- Processes financial documentation related to family/client services
- Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups, and associations
- Identifies homes suitable for placement of children and adults
- Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations, and participates in interagency meetings such as FAPT, eligibility, and IEP meetings with schools
- Transports clients to medical and mental health appointments
- Assists in the operation of emergency shelters
- Provides coverage for child protective services intake duties when necessary
- Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned
- When unusual situations occur and/or the City Manager declares a State of Emergency, all City employees may be required to accept special assignments and perform as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Education and Experience Required
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
To be hired a candidate must possess a baccalaureate degree in the human services field; or a baccalaureate degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years appropriate and related experience in a human services related area. Individuals who do not meet the degree requirement at the time of application for employment must be in their last semester of a degree program in a human services field.
Additional Requirements
Possession of valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record according to City criteria. View City Driving Criteria.
Must satisfactorily complete criminal background check, drug and alcohol screen and Child Protective Services Registry check.
Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.