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VD
Virginia Department of Social Services
Family Services Specialist I
Career Insights for Social / Human Services Specialist
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What they do
A Social or Human Services Specialist identifies and arranges community services for clients. Can involve coordination of services for people with disabilities or those in recovery. They may also coordinate housing or job training assistance for immigrants, veterans, former inmates or families in crisis and can be involved in advocating for client needs.
$53,606 / year median in Virginia
+11% projected growth
Job Description
Title Description
- Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/'Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine
- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action.
- 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;
- Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers;
- 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. Knowledge
- Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems. Skills
- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software. Abilities
- 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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.