Victim Support Specialist (Family Services Specialist)

Description

Application Deadline: June 21, 2021 at 5pm EST.

Apply online only at: www.charlottesville.gov/jobs

The City of Charlottesville Human Services Department is seeking qualified candidates to be considered for the position Victim Support Specialist (Family Services Specialist) who are highly motivated and who strive for success by demonstrating Charlottesville’s Core Values of Leadership, Trust, Creativity, Respect, and Excellence.

This is a grant-funded 40-hour long-term temporary, non-exempt, position; expected to last up to two years. The hiring amount will be between $18.85 and $24.04 an hour. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. The position also provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, and continuing education/training opportunities.

The department will be filling two positions. One will be School-Based at Buford Middle School; the other will be Neighborhood-Based focusing on the neighborhoods of South First Street, 6th Street SE, and Prospect. Position performs responsible professional work in the support and assistance of agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs; does related work as required. Will implement the Department of Human Services Community Support Services model, which matches trained, experienced, and compassionate professional staff with child victims of crime to provide mentoring, guidance and coaching. Position will also conduct assessments and tailor services to meet the individual needs of the child, through clearly identified goals with feedback from family, school personnel and other service providers. The Neighborhood-Based Specialist will also create, coordinate and implement programs to take place during out of school time (after-school & summer).

Incumbents will be trained in and will implement one or more evidence or research based programs. Work is performed under the regular supervision of a Senior Family Services Specialist.

Job Duties

• Assesses needs and strength of clients and families which may include but is not limited to:
  • Interviews clients and family members as needed,
  • Determines service eligibility,
  • Works with and counsels clients,
  • Provides protection and care to child victims of crime,
  • Makes appropriate referrals for services,
  • Prepares social studies in the formulation, delivery and assessment of service plans, and prepares related documentation.
• Makes field visits to client residences and assesses/monitor situation and/or progress.
• Assists and supports clients in problem-solving and in their use of agency and other resources.
• Makes referrals to clients, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.
• Facilitates group information/education sessions for clients.
• Performs work with specific ancillary agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts.
• Assists in the evaluation of programs and services rendered to clients with specific focus on equity and resilience outcomes;
• Assures services are equitable and inclusive;
• Responds to and de-escalates crises, and addresses trauma and promotes resiliency;
• Testifies in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Interprets agency programs to other agencies, community groups and associations.
• Researches and develops community resources, gives presentations.
• Maintains case records and prepares statistical and other reports and documentation.
• Processes financial documentation related to client services.
• Depending on assignment, collaborations with others to create, coordinate and implement youth programming for out of school time (summer and after-school);
• Will be included in on-call rotation and expected to respond within agency time-frame.
• May assist in the training of other staff, volunteers and student interns.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Skills Required

• Minimally requires a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field.  (Minimally, a Bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services may be substituted as equivalent.)
• Requires general knowledge of: social, economic and health problems; individual and group behavior; child, adolescent, adult and geriatric behavior and the practices and techniques of interviewing, counseling and investigating problems; principles and practices of child welfare, substance abuse, family service, employment services, public assistance and/or protective service work.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or qualified and able to obtain a valid VA driver’s license prior to beginning the position. (To view our driving eligibility requirements, visit www.charlottesville.gov/faq.aspx?qid=166).
• Possession of all requirements for entry level as specified by the Virginia Department of Social Services.

• Knowledge and experience with community and family engagement practices.

Additional Info

TO APPLY: to view the complete job information and to apply, visit the City of Charlottesville employment website listed. Applications are only accepted online through our employment page and must be submitted prior to the listed closing date and time.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Values Diversity at All Levels of its Workforce.