Family Service Specialist

Summary of Work

The Cass Human Service Zone Family Service Department serves to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families in our community.

Family Service Specialists serve across all phases of the family services program, from initial child abuse and neglect reports through placement and permanency services. Family Service Specialists ensure the safety of children through in-home safety planning and seek permanency for children placed in out-of-home care by working to strengthen parental performance and connecting families to critical and supportive services.

Training is provided to Family Service Specialists in a specialized unit within the department based on interest and skillset, including Child Protective Services (CPS) assessment and emergency response, and ongoing in-home and foster care case management. Cross-training within the department may be utilized to ensure prompt response and consistent care to ensure child safety in our community.

Family Service Specialists maintain responsibilities of a highly complex and sensitive nature and require a high degree of knowledge, skills, and passion in child welfare, social work, and client service. Work activities involve decision-making within parameters of approved policies and procedures.

Thorough, accurate and timely response and documentation skills are required. Family Service Specialists coordinate with local service providers, law enforcement and legal entities, as well as emergency response planning.

Zone business hours are 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday through Friday.
This position requires some afterhours/non-traditional working hours including on-call scheduling.
Frequent travel throughout Cass County is required.

Family Service Specialist - Example of Duties

• Assess and process referrals for child abuse or neglect
• Conduct assessment interview
• Prepare written intake reports
• Design, organize, implement, and monitor effectiveness of case plans
• Identify and facilitation use of community resources and support services
• Make determinations regarding client placement
• Participate in emergency response, crisis intervention, and after-hours on-call service
• Complete safety assessments on cases and determine eligibility for services and level of care
• Develop safety plans for children addressing special needs of clients
• Participate in interdisciplinary team staffing to modify treatment plans
• Prepare legal documents and participate in legal proceedings, including providing testimony

To succeed in this position, you should have a passion for serving others, a desire to make a positive impact on our community and a strong communication skillset to engage with diverse populations.

You have a proven ability to problem-solve, make time-sensitive decisions, and take accountability to the responsibilities of the role.

Working for Cass Human Service Zone:
Cass Human Service Zone partners with the Department of Health and Human Services and Cass County to deliver state-driven child welfare safety and program protocols and provides employees with the excellent benefits and employment packages offered by Cass County as a Cass County employee.

Cass Human Service Zone Team Members are offered robust medical, dental and life insurance coverage, as well as an excellent retirement package (ND PERS).
Employees enjoy 10 paid holidays, as well as earning both annual leave AND sick leave days.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for this position, you must have a bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, education, human services, child development and family science, behavioral health, or criminal justice. Plus, one of the following:

A LBSW and/or background in social work is preferred, but not required for this position.

Position Classification Levels & Requirements:

Family Service Specialist III (SC7004) - Job Grade 106:
Two years of professional work experience as a social worker, child protective service worker, or professional case manager.
A master's degree may substitute for one year of the work experience requirement.

Family Services Specialist II (SC7004) - Job Grade 105:
One year of professional work experience as a social worker, child protective service worker, or professional case manager.
A master's degree in one of the above areas may substitute for the work experience requirement.

Family Services Specialist I (SC7004) - Job Grade 105:
No work experience required.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

325 HHS Application Procedures

Your resume should include information to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as posted.

If the Human Resource Division is unable to determine that you meet the minimum qualifications, credit will not be given.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Department of Health & Human Services does not offer or provide sponsorships.
• All application material must be received on or before the closing date by 11:59 pm.
• A copy of your qualifying degrees transcript and any applicable certifications or licensures must be provided at the time of an interview.

For more information or if you need an accommodation, please contact Zone HR at: 701-239-6770 or duitsmans@casscountynd.gov.

Employing Unit: Cass County Human Service Zone
TTY Number: ND Relay Service 1-800-366-6888 (text); 1-800-366-6889 (voice)

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the Application Process or uploading attachments, please contact recruiter@nd.gov or (701)328-3290.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.