Family Services Specialist III - In-HomePrevention

Job Description
InHome is an alignment of CPS Ongoing and Prevention Services that prioritizes family preservation through meaningful partnerships with families and their support systems to ensure child safety permanency and wellbeing. In particular InHome structures all case practices around three child safety scenarios: a child living in his or her own home; a child living temporarily with a relative (kin); or a child living longterm with a relative (kin) with regular visitation with parents. InHome services focus on specific integrated strategies directed towards teaming engagement efforts collective streamlined assessment decisionmaking behaviorbased safety goals and needsdriven service provision. The purpose of the position is to supervise staff and/or provide support and assistance to agency clients for the area of responsibility. The position is responsible for staff supervision and/or client assessment planning counseling education/training monitoring and reporting. The position works within broad policy and organizational guidelines; independently plans and implements projects; reports the progress of major activities through periodic meetings. ESSENTIAL TASKS The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary. Conducts interviews or investigations and makes client/family assessments; formulates and implements plans; initiates and processes eligibility referrals. Supervises staff and/or volunteers including training assigning and evaluating work counseling and disciplining. Provides individual and group counseling for client and family; assists staff with crisis management. Oversees programs and activities relating to resources and volunteers. Interacts/coordinates with other agencies organizations or family/community members to provide services for client and family; makes referrals for other social services. Conducts home visits to supervise observe and document family interactions activities and environment. Approves expenditures for assigned area; provides fiscal data for preparation of annual budgets. Provides direct services to client/family including teaching basic living parenting budgeting or employment skills and providing mediation counseling and transportation. Collects and compiles information/data and prepares routine and specialized reports; maintains files/records for area of responsibility. Investigates/establishes collateral contacts. Provides emergency services/crisis intervention for clients/families; prepares reports and documentation for court hearings; testifies in court; provides client placement as needed. Performs routine office tasks such as dictating case notes data entry typing correspondence or forms filing faxing telephoning or photocopying. Conducts workshops for teens; attends professional workshops and seminars to improve professional skills. Selected applicants must be able to work after hours if needed to complete home visits and ensure service needs are being met. The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications
VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT : In order to be evaluated for vacancies in the Family Services Specialist job series applicants shall possess the qualifications outlined in 1 OR 2 below: 1 A minimum of a bachelors degree in the human services field including Social Work Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology Clinical Psychology Counseling Psychology Counseling and Guidance Counselor Education Human Services Sociology Family and Child Development Aging Studies Gerontology Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content. 2 A minimum of a bachelors degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related fulltime equivalent experience in a human services related area. To be considered for promotion persons currently employed in the Family Services Specialist job series by a local department prior to January 1 1999 who do not meet the qualifications outlined in either 1 or 2 above must possess four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all available competencybased training related to the promotional area. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT : In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards this class requires a minimum of four years of appropriate and related fulltime equivalent experience. SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES : Requires a valid drivers license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards . SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS : Emergency Duty (OnCall) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.21503B; Section 63.2900; and 63.2160463.21610 Code of Virginia. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to shortterm departmental needs and/or Citywide emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications
Minimum of a Bachelors degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelors degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area Provides after hours oncall coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care; Performs investigative duties to include screens referrals for validity; Transports children to placements meetings therapy sessions doctor and dental appointments and for visitation with families; Attends court testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and longterm dangers/risks to children; Develops written services plan documenting goals objectives and details of the services provided for each case; Provides program administration and caseload management services; Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals; Accompanies victims and their families to court appearances; Serves as support for the family; files petitions; Testifies in criminal and civil cases; prepares court ordered home assessments and custody home studies; Establishes and maintains case records;

Work Schedule
8 am 5 pm/Monday Friday. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to shortterm departmental needs and/or Citywide emergencies.