Kinship Care Specialist (Social Services Specialist III)
This position is part of the Family Engagement Program based in the Fairfax regional office. Provides intensive clinical casework support and case management to families and children identified as being at risk of abuse or neglect, or separation from their home. Works with the kinship triad (parents, Kincare giver, and child) to provide family support and/or parent reunification while minimizing the need for more intrusive measures. Casework responsibilities include but are not limited to: completion of comprehensive assessments and service plans, care coordination, crisis intervention, and brief counseling. Attends court hearings and provides professional and legal testimony as needed. Completes casework and documentation in compliance with federal, state and local policies and procedures. Develops partnerships with community agencies to provide a holistic approach to service delivery, guaranteeing collaboration and coordination of services offered to children and their families. Coordinates and attends intra-agency and inter-agency meetings. Mentors and trains new staff and may provide supervision in the absence of the unit supervisor. Uses automated information systems to maintain case documentation. As part of the Children, Youth and Families Division (CYF) continuum of care, this position may be required to support other CYF program areas to meet the business needs of the Division.
All Fairfax County Government employees are expected to adhere to the Standards of Conduct. In maintaining a drug free workplace, employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while at work or on county premises.
Schedule: A flexible schedule including evening and/or weekend work will be required. In addition, the position requires being part of the Child Protective Services (CPS) on-call rotation that includes evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours which may require immediate response into the field. This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to demonstrate cultural and diversity competence;
- Knowledge of substance use and mental health issues as it relates to reunification outcomes;
- Ability to analyze case information and to reach sound decisions on the basis of such information;
- Ability to maintain professional ethics and confidentiality of client information;
- Knowledge of regulations and guidelines relating to the assigned area of social service specialization;
- Knowledge and understanding of kinship triad;
- Ability to maintain professional ethics and confidentiality of client information;
- Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines;
- Ability to assess safety and risk;
- Ability to assess trauma and root causes of dysfunctional kinship family dynamics;
- Ability to use engagement techniques with families;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and teams;
- Ability to meet deadlines and keep up with documentation;
- Ability to participate in and attend home visits, school visits, and court hearings.
Note: All applicants selected from this solicitation must successfully complete DFS's Child Welfare Institute.
Salary: Compensation for this position will not exceed midpoint of advertised salary range.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus three years of professional social work experience. A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in social work (MSW) or a related human services degree.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in child protective services intake and/or on-going and child abuse and neglect prevention.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience in service plan development and care coordination.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, Child Protective Services check, and driving record check.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sufficiently mobile to travel outside the office to meet with clients, attend meetings and/or court, as well as any other community events when applicable. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to use automated technology and lift up to 20 lbs. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview, may include practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.