The City of Richmond Department of Social Services is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Family Services Specialist for the Family Search & Engagement Unit. The focus of Family Search & Engagement is to build, maintain, and strengthen the family support network of children, families, and individuals served by the Division of Children, Families, and Adults. The incumbent is responsible for partnering with the primary Family Services Worker to promote early identification and engagement of fathers and paternal family members. This will be accomplished by providing services through the implementation of family searches in Accurint and other search engines, assessments, and service delivery to increase permanency and lifelong connections for children/youth within a safe environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Acting in the absence of the Family Services Supervisor and demonstrating positive leadership and support to the team.
Assisting in the training of newly hired Family Services Workers.
Assisting in the mentoring of Student Interns.
Attending Richmond Emergency Case Staffing meetings as needed.
Making phone calls/holds meetings to evaluate case situations/circumstances.
Conducting bi-monthly (or as needed) home visits to fathers to support them with case management-based support.
Linking fathers to community resources, including but not limited to, shelter, domestic violence services, legal, childcare, food support programs, financial assistance, employment/training, health, and immigration support services.
Serving as a secondary worker on case assignment to provide family-centered and community-based services to at-risk cases assigned to Child Protective Services, Foster Care, In-Home programs.
Utilizing finding family-finding tools to identify family, including paternal family members.
Creating and utilizing Genogram software.
Completing family assessments.
Counseling fathers and paternal families and/or making referral recommendations for services.
Providing case management services that engage fathers and paternal family members in establishing and strengthening positive parental relationships.
Advocating and preparing father/paternal family to ensure they have a voice and choice in case planning.
Initiating and maintaining contact with father/paternal family to ensure engagement in planning process.
Submitting case reports within agency requirements and meeting state-mandated deadlines.
Maintaining documentation of services provided in accordance with state and local policies and procedures.
Participating in Family Partnership Meetings.
Participating in Family Assessment & Planning Team (FAPT).
Assisting with other agency responsibilities as required, i.e., CPS and Foster Care assignments.
Establishing and maintaining working relationships with clients, co-workers, staff, other professionals, officials, and the public.
Providing good customer service by being courteous, timely, and trauma-informed.
Educating the community on program services.
Participating in community engagement activities.
Representing the agency to other departments, Courts, and City personnel.

Note: City of Richmond Department of Social Services employees working in this position are considered essential personnel and may be required to work beyond scheduled hours, during inclement weather, and during declared emergencies.

Qualifications, Special Certifications, and Licenses:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge in Social Services programs.
Principles and practices in the human services field, including knowledge of programs, social-economic trends, and behaviors that impact the delivery of human services.
Agency administration policy and administering individual and family assessments and interpreting results.
Demonstrated skills in case management, consulting, and advising.
Interpersonal communication.
Oral/written communication.
Effective listening.
Formulating, interpreting, or implementing policies or operating procedures.
Demonstrated ability to think critically.
Make sound judgments.
Work with diverse populations.
Perform job responsibilities effectively with minimal supervision.
Prioritize and manage time effectively.

Minimum Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in social work; Master's degree in social work is preferred.
Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree in a human services field is also acceptable if it includes at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques, such as:
- (a) social work;
- (b) psychology;
- (c) sociology;
- (d) guidance and/or counseling; or
- (e) child development.
Two or more years of human services experience is required.
Valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

MSW and three (3) or more years of related experience in the areas of child welfare, child development, family systems, application of policy and processes including court.
Ability to form and maintain effective and cordial working relationships at all levels.
Excellent communication skills and strong presentation skills.
Bilingual ability in Spanish preferred.
Considerable knowledge of trauma-informed practices.
Demonstrated skill in using automated systems related to program area and job role.