Family Services Specialist IV - Foster Care/Adoption at City of Lynchburg, VA
City of Lynchburg, VA · Lynchburg, United States Of America · Onsite
- Professional
- Office in Lynchburg
About the Department
Position Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties to provide direct or indirect service to the citizens may be assigned.
- Serves as lead worker for the Foster Care/Adoption unit;
- Assigns, supervises, counsels, monitors and evaluates the work of Family Services Specialists and participates in the more difficult cases;
- Provides guidance and training in program areas to other employees;
- Writes and reviews court reports, home study evaluations, letters, presentations, and general information;
- Assesses clients’ needs, and formulate plan of action;
- Communicates effectively both orally and in writing;
- Manages high profile cases;
- Testifies in court proceedings;
- Develops and presents training programs and other presentations;
- Interprets program laws, policies and regulations;
- Develops and implements service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client;
- Analyzes case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations;
- Responds to the client’s emotions in order to accomplish services objectives;
- Develops speeches and represents the agency on program training and workshops;
- Works in stressful situations and maintains diplomacy;
- Plans and manages own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities;
- Establishes and maintains effective relationships with others;
- Stays abreast of current trends and developments in the social work and child welfare field;
- Performs duties of supervisor in conjunction with and/or in the absence of the supervisor;
- Responds to citizen inquiries concerning departmental unit services or the lack of services;
- 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;
- Monitors special funds and authorizes expenditures for families and individuals in crisis.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to families/clients
Processes financial documentation related to family/client services
Identifies homes suitable for placement of children
Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations, and participates in meetings of local and state organizations as representative of the department to explain programs, services, regulations, etc.;
Transports clients to medical and mental health appointments
Assists in the operation of emergency shelters.
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
May serve as supervisor in absence of unit supervisor, or supervise interns, volunteers or other staff.
Minimum Qualifications
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 EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in the human services field or a bachelor's degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years appropriate and related experience.
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.
To be considered for promotion, individuals must meet the above requirements or have four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all required training related to the promotional area.
Other Qualifications
Must possess a valid driver's license and a driving record acceptable according to City criteria. View City's 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.
