Resource Family Policy Specialist #W0265

Title: Resource Family Policy Specialist #W0265

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist II

Hiring Range: $70,000 - $80,000/yr.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Social Services

Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: www.dss.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

The Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Family Services is currently seeking a Resource Family Policy Specialist. This position is responsible for applying comprehensive knowledge of resource family and family engagement practices and the Virginia Practice Model to promote a Kin First culture within Virginia's child welfare system. The Resource Family Policy Specialist is responsible for ensuring that guidance and regulations are consistent with federal/state law and will assist in the convening and facilitation of meetings such as the Permanency Advisory Committee to ensure input and feedback is solicited for DFS programs on legislation, regulations, policy, and guidance in the permanency programs.   This position will assist in the development and implementation of policies and practices that address inequities in the child welfare system to eliminate disparate entry into foster care and will collaborate with the Program areas of IV-E, Licensing, CSA, Prevention, Foster Care and Adoption to help align policies and guidance to promote a kin first continuum, improve coordination and integration, and provide consistency across child welfare programs.

The position will provide leadership and coordination of guidance and support for best practices regarding family engagement and the process of approving and supporting kinship foster parents as well as foster and adoptive families to support the local Department of Social Services (LDSS) in meeting agency performance outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience interpreting and implementing local, state, and federal regulations related to child welfare.
• Knowledge of family engagement practices and resource family regulations.
• Knowledge and experience with approving and supporting relatives as foster parents.
• Knowledge of effective methods of recruiting and assessing foster and adoptive families.
• Commitment to supporting best practices in local departments.
• Ability to analyze and interpret statistical results.
• Ability to respond to internal and external customers in a timely manner.
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to influence others through positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize in order to manage workload.

Additional Consideratio