Family Services Specialist I

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is seeking a talented individual to perform professional casework duties to include conducting initial assessment interviews to determine employability, provide supportive services in the form of childcare services, transportation assistance, and other costs associated with employment, and use the Virginia Case Management System to track cases. Candidates should have knowledge of social work principles, practices, and ethics, specifically Social Services/Employment Services knowledge. 

A $3,000 hiring bonus is being offered for this position.  Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original full-time employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0. 

·         $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.

·         $1000 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.

·         $1,500 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.

Duties for the Family Services Specialist I will include, but are not limited to:  

• Perform timely assessments to identify clients’/families’ needs, strengths, and barriers to self-sufficiency for the Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) Program. 
• Conduct initial assessment interviews to determine employability and to identify employment barriers.
• Develop service plans to include identifying and prioritizing needs and developing target dates for the completion of components and objectives. Provide resources and services to address barriers. 
• Interpret assessment results to address career interests, strengths, abilities, and employability; provide in-depth employment and supportive counseling as needed; update service plans.
• Perform reassessments at prescribed intervals to ensure satisfactory progress, track progress in the electronic case management system.
• Initiate sanctioning actions when needed and notify financial assistance workers as necessary; Prepare appeal summaries and attend benefits appeals hearings. 
• Work with persons experiencing homelessness to screen and assess needs and provide employment services and resource referrals in coordination with a team at the Housing Resource Center.
• Thorough knowledge of human services programs and policies including federal, state, and local regulations. Knowledge of programs, social economic trends and behaviors that impact the delivery of human services.
• Document case narratives within three business days.
• Use the Virginia Case Management System (VaCMS) to open cases, manage, update and monitor cases; provide a monthly update of activity status by the 8th of each month.
• Attend in-services, trainings, conferences and may represent the agency on committees and task force groups.

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and Paid Leave.