Family Services Specialist III-Prevention

Shenandoah Valley Social Services is seeking a motivated individual with a desire to provide supportive services to children and families who have been identified as being at-risk for future abuse/neglect or identified by the court to be at risk of out of home placement. The Family Services Specialist III will work to stabilize and strengthen families by addressing barriers to safety, permanency and well-being. Employees help direct families to services, monitor progress and help to identify natural supports to prevent future involvement with the department. This position is within the Prevention Unit. **Title Description:** **General Description and Conditions of Work:** The Family Services Specialist III, Prevention position, is a professional position supervised by a Family Services Supervisor with Shenandoah Valley Social Services. The Agency serves the County of Augusta and the Cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. This position performs tasks in the provision of social services working in the Prevention Unit with children and families who have been identified through a CPS Investigation or Family Assessment as having High or Very High Risk for future Abuse/Neglect or who have been identified as having risk or potential risk of entering foster care. The employee will engage with families to maintain the child safely in their homes or with relative/kin caregivers in their own communities and work with multiple programs within the agency and with community partners to ensure the safety, well-being, and permanency of the child and will ensure services are provided to meet the needs of the family by accessing appropriate funding sources as needed. **General tasks include but not limited to:** - Conducting home visits, continually assessing safety risk factors and service needs using multiple tools. - Coordinating and participating in Family Partnership Meetings, Child and Family Meetings, and other services related to meetings. - Developing and implementing service plans for children and caregivers. - Attending court hearings and testifying as needed. - Working with other community agencies and service and benefit programs within Shenandoah Valley Social Services in order to best meet the needs of the family. - Provide for timely documentation of all interactions. - Complete Family Assessments when allegations of abuse and neglect are present on an existing case and be available for on-call on an as needed basis. - Performing other duties that are identified as a need for the agency. Completes required agency and program specific training; complete emergency shelter duty training and serve in shelters as mandated and required. Possible after hours and weekend work; work during inclement weather; work during other unusual conditions or overnight travel may be required. Acceptable Central Registry, Criminal Background, and DMV Driving Records are required as a condition of employment. **Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification):** Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). **Knowledge of:** Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices; recognition of factors leading to abuse and neglect; family engagement practices; trauma informed care; factors leading to economic, health, and family relations problems; and laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; community services. **Skills in:** Proficient use of various computer software programs (Microsoft Office Products including Word and Excel, Google Email, electronic data, and case management systems); data entry, operating a computer/laptop, printer, scanner, and a variety of standard office machines (copy scanning, fax machines, and multi-line phone system) and equipment; operation of a motor…