Family Services Specialist (Resource Family Trainer)

This Family Services Specialist position is assigned to the Human Services Department as the Resource Foster Family Trainer for the Community Attention Foster Families (CAFF) Program. The position includes responsibility for preparing and training prospective foster families, and also carries a reduced caseload of foster care clients and families, completes kinship and resource family assessments as needed, and participates in a rotating on-call schedule.

In the trainer capacity, the position conducts monthly information sessions and foster parent trainings at least four times per calendar year, completes pre-service visits, and prepares families with training materials and session information. The position also tracks trainees through completion, maintains records in the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) recruitment database and the internal case management database, prepares summaries for the assessment team, and supports foster parent recruitment and retention efforts with team members. The position reports to a Human Services Program Supervisor.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid (partial telework) schedule following successful completion of a 6-month probationary period; however, this is not a fully remote position and regular in-person attendance for meetings, trainings, and operational needs is required.”

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $27.62 - $36.87 an hour ($57,449.60 - $76,689.60 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan.

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Assesses the needs of clients and families to develop a service plan.
• Investigates referral and interviews clients as needed.
• Takes applications for services and determines service eligibility.
• Assesses/monitors situations and progress of clients by conducting field visits.
• Provides clinical and/or non-clinical services to families by listening to concerns and monitoring progress.
• Completes associated casework within associated timelines; prepares and submits court-related documentation within established deadlines.
• May testify in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Develops contacts and collaborates with community partners and service providers to makes referrals for services to appropriate community resources and maintain relationships and continued referrals to programs.
• Conducts group information/education sessions for clients.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services.
• Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
• Conducts monthly home visits and may coordinate progress with the treatment team as necessary.
• May be responsible as an on-call staff on a rotating basis.
• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Additionally, when assigned to Community Attention:

• Completes Mutual Family Assessments to determine eligibility to become a foster family.
• Transporting program participants.
• May be responsible for support functions such as equipment maintenance, stocking inventory supplies, and/or oversight of vehicle maintenance.
• May work in a community-based setting primarily with adolescents and their families.
• May develop and/or facilitate various group meetings and/or recreational or educational activities.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field, such as Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, or similar area.  

• Bachelor's degree in any field AND 2 years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services related field; as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services may be substituted as equivalent.

Preferred:

• Masters in Social Work, Human Services, or a related field.
• Directly related experience (case management services) in Virginia within the past 2 years.
• Ability to communicate in a second language.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics 
Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge and complete comprehension of eligibility requirements for public assistance, principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, employment services, family services and/or protective service work and state and federal procedures and legal terminology to solve common and unusual problems, advise on technical matters, and serve as a resource for others.
• Knowledge of counseling and social work principles and practices.
• Knowledge of community services and facilities available for clients served. Knowledge of crisis intervention and behavior changes techniques.
• Knowledge of human behavior and of current social, economic, and health problems of the community served.

Reading

• Intermediate: Ability to read and understand complex written materials, such as policies, regulations, and professional articles/journals.

Writing

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data, maintain case records, and write clear and concise reports and prepare explanations and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Intermediate: Ability to work with, understand, and apply simple formulas to process financial documentation related to client services, reimbursements, and prepare statistical reports.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effectively working relationships with clients, families, co-worker’s city staff, other agencies, and the public. Provide and receive standard to more complex information. May include interactions that involve stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Requires recognizing different points of view to ensure understanding and appropriate response. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Limited Direction: Normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Case management is completed with little oversight and may be reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: comprehensive knowledge of techniques for interviewing, counseling and investigating problems. Uses analytical judgment to develop comprehensive courses of action for families. Applies understanding of individual and group behavior and social, economic and health problems. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary or fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for supervision of others. May occasionally assist in the training of other staff, volunteers and student interns and serves as a peer advisor.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Constant interruptions and requests for service.
• Performs multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Requires dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• Works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May be required to be on-call and respond within certain timeframes.
• May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule, which may include weekends, mornings, afternoons, and/or evenings.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects
• Must be able to frequently remain in a stationary position.
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.   

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.  
• Work may also occur in client homes, facilities of other agencies and/or court buildings. 
• Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances.
• The noise level is typically moderate and may vary depending on work site.