Fairfax County
Social Services Specialist III - Foster Care
Fairfax County, Fairfax, Virginia, United States, 22032
Signing bonus of $2,500 (full-time) for new county hires.
Do you aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth in foster care? Are you energized by a dynamic, fast‑paced work environment where every day brings new challenges? If so, we invite you to join our team! We seek individuals dedicated to children’s permanency, safety, and well‑being, who excel in critical thinking, decision‑making, and leadership. This challenging role offers a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of children and families.
Responsibilities
Match children with appropriate foster homes and coordinate with CPS and foster care staff.
Assess the needs of children and communicate those needs, in writing and by phone or online, with foster care staff, CPS staff, therapeutic foster care agencies, group homes, residential treatment facilities, and medical institutions.
Research options for our youth in care and assist with completion of application paperwork, Title IV‑E paperwork and respite paperwork.
Attend treatment team meetings and work collaboratively with other agency and community members.
Serve as the liaison to contracted licensed child placing agencies.
Provide ongoing support to foster families, both in person and by phone, as a resource worker when needed.
Complete foster home re‑approvals and adoption addendums as required.
Maintain a cell phone to respond to after‑hours emergencies and to identify homes for children separated from their families or in need of placement changes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Child protection laws, rules, and regulations.
Foster care and adoption laws, rules, and regulations.
Interview, assess, counsel, and refer clients to other resources as needed.
Apply state and federal laws and policies for foster home providers.
Well‑developed listening, creative problem‑solving, assessment and decision‑making skills.
Ability to work independently and use automated technology.
Provide excellent customer service internally and to community partners and resource parents.
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university plus at least three years of professional social work experience. A master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Completion of a criminal background check, driving record check, and Child Protective Services Registry check.
Availability for evening, overnight, weekend and holiday hours, and participation in an on‑call rotation.
Ability to use automated technology and to operate a motor vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in social work (MSW) or a related human services field.
Experience working with children and youth in foster care.
Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.
At least two years of professional social services experience in areas such as child protective services, foster care, or related fields.
Physical Requirements Work requires performing tasks with risks of secondary traumatic stress (STS). The ability to navigate stressful and crisis situations, travel outside the office for client contact and court appearances, and conduct family assessments and investigations of child abuse and neglect is required. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, use automated technology, and operate a motor vehicle is also required.
Selection Procedure Panel interview and practical exercise.
EEO Statement Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Do you aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth in foster care? Are you energized by a dynamic, fast‑paced work environment where every day brings new challenges? If so, we invite you to join our team! We seek individuals dedicated to children’s permanency, safety, and well‑being, who excel in critical thinking, decision‑making, and leadership. This challenging role offers a unique opportunity to positively impact the lives of children and families.
Responsibilities
Match children with appropriate foster homes and coordinate with CPS and foster care staff.
Assess the needs of children and communicate those needs, in writing and by phone or online, with foster care staff, CPS staff, therapeutic foster care agencies, group homes, residential treatment facilities, and medical institutions.
Research options for our youth in care and assist with completion of application paperwork, Title IV‑E paperwork and respite paperwork.
Attend treatment team meetings and work collaboratively with other agency and community members.
Serve as the liaison to contracted licensed child placing agencies.
Provide ongoing support to foster families, both in person and by phone, as a resource worker when needed.
Complete foster home re‑approvals and adoption addendums as required.
Maintain a cell phone to respond to after‑hours emergencies and to identify homes for children separated from their families or in need of placement changes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Child protection laws, rules, and regulations.
Foster care and adoption laws, rules, and regulations.
Interview, assess, counsel, and refer clients to other resources as needed.
Apply state and federal laws and policies for foster home providers.
Well‑developed listening, creative problem‑solving, assessment and decision‑making skills.
Ability to work independently and use automated technology.
Provide excellent customer service internally and to community partners and resource parents.
Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university plus at least three years of professional social work experience. A master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Completion of a criminal background check, driving record check, and Child Protective Services Registry check.
Availability for evening, overnight, weekend and holiday hours, and participation in an on‑call rotation.
Ability to use automated technology and to operate a motor vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in social work (MSW) or a related human services field.
Experience working with children and youth in foster care.
Experience working with a diverse multicultural population.
At least two years of professional social services experience in areas such as child protective services, foster care, or related fields.
Physical Requirements Work requires performing tasks with risks of secondary traumatic stress (STS). The ability to navigate stressful and crisis situations, travel outside the office for client contact and court appearances, and conduct family assessments and investigations of child abuse and neglect is required. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, use automated technology, and operate a motor vehicle is also required.
Selection Procedure Panel interview and practical exercise.
EEO Statement Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr