Senior Family Services Specialist - (Kinship Navigator/Opioid Abatement -Chesterfield-Colonial Heights)

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The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is hiring a Senior Family Services Specialist to act as a Kinship Navigator and be a key resource for children and families, providing essential support to kinship caregivers as they navigate complex systems and secure the services necessary to raise the children in their care.

What You Do and How You Do It:

As a Senior Family Services Specialist, you will provide comprehensive support to kinship caregivers. Your core case management responsibilities include assessing family needs and coordinating services, attending key meetings like Family Partnership Meetings, Family Assessment and Planning Team meetings, and court hearings to advocate for families, and developing and monitoring service plans using SMART goals. You will provide intensive services to caregivers identified through the Kinship Caregiver Needs Assessment and will conduct three- and six-month follow-up visits to monitor progress and assess ongoing needs. The role also involves extensive outreach and community engagement. You will participate in community events to promote the program, establish formal support networks like virtual or in-person support groups, coordinate resource fairs, and provide trauma-informed training to both adults and youth on topics relevant to kinship care. You'll be responsible for various administrative tasks, including tracking statistical information for grant compliance, assisting in the development of an information and referral system, and creating outreach materials. Additionally, you will develop partnerships by establishing community connections and providing in-service training to ensure a holistic approach to serving kinship families. This may include coordinating tasks for the KinFirst program, such as completing Permanency Assessment Tools with potential caregivers, completing safety plans, and supporting removals. You will be expected to complete ongoing training to enhance understanding of kinship needs, family dynamics, substance use disorders, and others as determined. Perform other work as required.

Here's What You Need:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). 
• Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs and completion of required training programs. 
• Equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. 
• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

We’re Looking for Ideal Candidates Who Have:

• Experience working with kinship caregivers preferred.
• Knowledge of social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems preferred.
• Knowledge of social service system and coordination of all units within agency preferred.
• Knowledge of family dynamics, child abuse, neglect, domestic violence, trauma, and the effects of trauma preferred.
• Skills in assessing child safety and risk along with family dynamics, mental illnesses, substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, and domestic violence preferred.
• Skill in engaging with high-risk/argumentative/resistant families and in being assertive, confident, respectful, and professional preferred.
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed and to develop and implement service plans in order to ensure the delivery of appropriate services to clients preferred.

Current valid driver's license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.  Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification