Family Services Worker III - Permanency/ Independent Living

Job Summary

Under limited supervision, facilitates, coordinates, and leads the case management efforts in multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department including protective services for adults and children, foster care, prevention, intake, and/or quality performance initiatives. May coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for the daily activities and outcomes. Tasks include providing direct service to clients, including leading complex cases, assessing, screening clients, preparing reports for and appearing in court, training, mentoring, maintaining records and reports, and, determining and pursuing necessary action to meet client needs. The Senior Family Services Specialist functions as the lead worker and provides support and coverage in the absence of the supervisor. Employees work within established policies, procedures and guidelines with a high degree of independence, seeking supervisory assistance only in unusually complicated and difficult cases / situations. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Essential Job Functions

• Instructs, assigns and reviews work. Plans the work of others. Maintains standards through the effective coordination of activities. Provides guidance and assistance in completing daily tasks. Provides input for developmental needs of staff members.

• Coordinates Child Welfare and Adult Services programs. Establishes and updates procedures. Monitors program and outcomes. Provides recommendations for improvements and changes to the program to meet program goals.

• Acts as the lead worker in special program areas including community planning and organization.

• Serves on committees.

• Provides input and recommendations and participates in planning and evaluating department programs.

• Assesses clients for a variety of needs (physical, mental, emotional) and assists with obtaining appropriate services. 

• Interacts with and performs tasks to assist clients. Conducts interviews and investigations and prepares related documentation. Partners with clients to draft and implement service plans including participation in benefits programs, group and individual counseling sessions, medical or psychiatric treatment and related needs. 

• Coordinates clients’ access to services. Maintains contact with clients and their families. Conducts home visits and community visits. Assists clients with services to facilitate stability including counseling, transportation, health services and program referral.

• Participates in legal and court related activities. Prepares court reports and service plans for court. Testifies in court for matters of support, disposition hearings and criminal proceedings.

• Receives and responds to inquiries and provides information based on general knowledge of Social Service programs. Refers inquiries to appropriate personnel.

• Coordinates emergency services with other community agencies to assist clients affected by catastrophic property loss or homelessness.

• Completes the Universal Assessment Instrument an