Family Services Specialist II (OCS)

Hiring Range: $65,852.54 to $88,210.20
Full Time or Part Time: Full Time
Additional Detail
The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. Thesmall city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for ourFamily Services Specialist II position.
General Statement of Duties:
The Family Services Specialist II in the Office of Community Services (OCS) provides intensive social work services and crisis intervention to the most vulnerable and at-risk individuals and families facing obstacles to self-sufficiency. The Family Services Specialist II supports and assists clients with a variety of social and emotional needs and implements and advocates for services to address these needs. The Family Services Specialist II assesses clients' strengths and limitations, as well as potential safety and risk factors, and utilizes various therapeutic techniques to assist clients in becoming aware of feelings, attitudes, and anxieties which inhibits resolution of their problems, reduces risk, or poses barriers to self-sufficiency. The work involves home visits which may present unpredictable client behaviors or environmental hazards in the home. The Family Services Specialist II is the lead worker in OCS offering training, guidance and support to staff and provides supervisory coverage in the supervisor's absence. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Community Services Coordinator II in the Office of Community Services.
Examples of Duties:

• Provides intensive and specialized casework services to culturally diverse and at risk families experiencing chronic financial, social and emotional problems, including low-income, the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless, individuals struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues, victims of child abuse and neglect, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, or experiencing immigration issues;
• Evaluates families from a biopsychosocial perspective and utilizes therapeutic techniques in order to develop strengths-based treatment plans with families that address their needs and barriers to self-sufficiency.
• Assesses safety risks in accordance with state and local policies and makes referrals to Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Mental Health or Substance Abuse Services or law enforcement when warranted as well as develops safety plans;
• Assesses level of need using the Self-Sufficiency Matrix tool to determine the disposition of the case and future intervention with the family;
• Utilizes a variety of counseling and therapeutic techniques, including crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and strengths-based counseling to assist clients in confronting and resolving emotional and environmental problems and to overcome client resistance, foster insight, and motivate clients;
• Prepares comprehensive social histories, psychosocial assessments, and semi-annual case reviews;
• Develops SMART goals with clients which identifies clinical methods for dealing with service needs and the means by which services will be provided either within the agency or through referral to other community resources, as well as monitors client's progress and works with clients to adjust goals and strategies to meet changing needs;
• Manages and coordinates the use of various financial and service programs available to assist clients with basic needs as well as carefully allocates these resources to make the most effective use of limited funding;
• Acts as a liaison between clients and other agency personnel and advocates for clients within all systems;
• Conducts home visits, accompanies clients to appointments, and visits community partners to advocate for clients;
• Coordinates outreach efforts with community partners and service providers to educate regarding DCHS and OCS programs and services;
• Attends staff meetings, conferences, in-service trainings and workshops;
• Represents OCS on special projects or committees in the department and community to offer expertise;
• Interviews, trains and provides clinical supervision for MSW interns, as well as maintains relationship with the university and fulfills the university's field instructor requirements;
• Assists in training and provides guidance to new staff, or volunteers;
• Assists in the development and implementation of new service programs in accordance with identified community needs and funding guidelines;
• Assists in identifying and assessing service delivery gaps;
• Acts as the lead worker in OCS and provides leadership to colleagues in areas of program expertise;
• Provides coverage in the supervisor's absence, including approving financial payments and reviewing cases;
• Documents all client information, contact notes, progress notes and services in client databases, such as Harmony and OASIS;
• Monitors client and program statistics, maintains spreadsheets, and completes monthly reports, and outcome measures data for City strategic goals and grant requirements;
• Assumes special projects and other duties as assigned;

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work; knowledge of the impact of social, psychiatric, economic and health factors; knowledge of early childhood development theory, principles and practices; knowledge of community resources; knowledge of individual, group, and family therapy techniques; knowledge of counseling techniques provided to clients with mental disorders, alcoholism, and/or drug abuse; ability to quickly assess and defuse hostile situations; ability to identify social problems and needs, and to assess the strengths and weaknesses of individuals and families; ability to plan and organize work; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to work collaboratively in a team; strong leadership skills; ability to understand and interpret laws, policies, and regulations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master'sdegree in a human services field and two (2)yearsofrelevant experience.Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
At least two years of experience providing crisis intervention and intensive case management services to vulnerable, at-risk populations. Comprehensive knowledge of the City of Alexandria's community resources, and the Department of Community and Human Services' programs. Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.