General Description and Conditions of Work: The Kinship Engagement Specialist position is under the supervision of a Family Services Supervisor and performs family engagement work and case management in support of County and City residents involved in the child welfare system through Child Protective Services and In- Home/Prevention Programs. General responsibilities include following case management requirements established by the Family Services Supervisor, conducting assessments to include the Permanency Assessment Tool, participating in out of home staffing, family partnership and case planning meetings, provide initial support to kinship caregivers in accessing benefits, and assist program staff in meeting requirements within the Parent Child Safety Placement Program and ongoing support to kin caregivers ongoing as needed, perform child specific kin recruitment activities to include case mining, genograms/eco maps/family mapping, search engines, other forms and communication with family members and children, tracking and responding to kin inquiries and family finding efforts, serves as an advocate and liaison for kin, providing referrals for community based services, participating and testifying in legal proceedings, maintaining communication with clients and professionals, maintaining case records and documentation in OASIS, and performing other assigned duties. Assists in providing emergency shelter as mandated and required.
The hiring range for this position is $51,001- $53,551.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s) required to successfully perform the work: Working knowledge of: social work principles and practice; family engagement practices, individual and group behavior; independent living skills; social, economic, health, and family relations problems; and laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas. Skill needed with operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software. Demonstrated ability to: plan, organize, and manage own work activities including service delivery, preparing technical reports and correspondence, and record keeping and related activities; understand and interpret laws, policies, and regulations; effectively communicate ideas both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to ensure the delivery of appropriate services; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the clients’ emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, other social service agencies and the general public; work as a part of a team; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field. Preferred knowledge, experience and skills: experience with children/youth involved with the child welfare system; conflict/resolution skills; understanding of grief, separation, loss, trauma-informed practice, and human development; exceptional time management and organization skills; previous experience in working with, and supporting, biological parents and kinship families.
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 a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Possession of a valid driver’s license in order to operate a motor vehicle in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Must pass the agency’s background checks.
Preferred Qualifications (Experience, Licensure, Certification): Experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities preferred. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen.
This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority.
All offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screening.
Possession of a valid driver’s license in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a driving record demonstrating responsible motor vehicle operation practices.
Driving records must meet agency requirements.
Employee must be willing to work in the community emergency shelter in the event of a natural disaster or emergency.
APPLICATIONS, RESUMES AND REFERENCES FOR THIS POSITION MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. MAILED, EMAILED, FAXED, OR HAND-DELIVERED APPLICATIONS, RESUMES AND REFERNCES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. A Resume must be submitted with the application as well. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information provided. Applications must include complete work history. Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position.