Family Services Specialist II

The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our Family Services Specialist II (Adoption Social Worker) position.This is the specialist level in the class series for Family Services. Employees specialize in program areas and assume more complex duties such as: interviewing/investigating in cases involving suspected child/adult abuse/neglect, out-of-home placements, guardianships, emergency protective orders, and adoptions; testifying in legal proceedings; and placing children in foster/adoptive homes. Employees have contacts with others and influence outcomes by participating on task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, teaching, and conducting outreach. Programs areas generally include Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, and Adoptions. Additionally, in some agencies, positions may be partly dedicated to Child Care and Employment Services in addition to other program areas. 

A Family Services Specialist II (Adoption Social Worker) provides intensive and specialized, culturally competent social work services to individuals/families with complex psychosocial diagnoses and histories of abuse/neglect. Staff in this position utilize therapeutic techniques to help individuals/families discuss and understand their feelings, attitudes, fears and anxieties related to solving their identified needs. A FSSII engages fully and actively with individuals/families in helping them solve challenges by identifying individual/family strengths, utilizing community resources, therapeutic techniques, and purchased services.

 

Example of Duties:

• Provides case management services, including monthly face to face visitation with identified client, updating and maintain case contacts, writing reports, gathering statistics and preparing service plans and court documents.
• Prepares social histories and psychosocial assessments and develops treatment plans which identify challenges, clinical methods for problem solving and community resources available.
• Leads Adoption Panel to identify and select adoptive families for youth awaiting permanency.
• Prepares adoption consents and report of investigations for the preparation of finalizing adoptions.
• Provides supportive counseling to individuals/families to assist in confronting and resolving emotional challenges related to adoption process.
• Motivates individuals/families toward agreed upon goals and assists in identifying strengths and needs.
• Provides crisis intervention on a timely basis.
• Makes ongoing assessments related to risk, safety and well being.
• Represents DCHS/CWS in court proceedings which involve expert testimony, filing petitions, preparing court documents, compiling evidence and preparing children who may need to testify.
• Coordinates and facilitates the permanency placement for individuals with a goal of adoption.
• Serves on community workgroups to address specific challenges.
• Conducts monthly home visits.
• Participates in Family Engagement Activities such as Treatment Team Meetings, FAPT, Family Partnership Meetings, and Family Group Conferences.
• Provides leadership amongst colleagues in areas of program expertise.
• Uses assessment skills during interviews of individuals/families.
• Reviews and updates treatment plans to reflect progress and reduction in risk or obtainment of permanency.

• Provides after hours on-call on a rotating basis.
   

Minimum Qualifications: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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices; Considerable knowledge of human behavior and motivational theory; Considerable knowledge of laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas. Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Demonstrated ability to interpret program laws, policies and regulations; Demonstrated ability to develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client.
 Preferred Qualifications: 

Master's degree in a human services field and some relevant experience. Some social work experience at the level of Family Services Specialist I. Some social work experience at the level of Family Services Specialist I.