Family Services Specialist I

The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small 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 our Family Services Specialist I position.

General Statement of Duties

A Family Services Specialist I provides intensive social work services to individuals and families. Employees in this class support and assist clients with a variety of challenges depending on their functional area of assignment. A Family Services Specialist I provides individual, group and family therapy to facilitate clients in seeking alternative solutions to address barriers such as family dynamics, management of finances, housing, health needs, educational and employment training. Employees in this class utilize therapeutic techniques to assist clients with self-awareness to address feelings, attitudes, and anxieties which inhibit resolution of their problems. The work of this class frequently involves home visits which may present unpredictable client behaviors or environmental hazards in the home. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Family Services Specialist Supervisor with whom cases and policies are reviewed and discussed. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist. 

The primary purpose of this position is providing program support to the Center for Children and Families/Child Welfare Services. The work involves children are risk of abuse or neglect, and who may be in foster care and is sensitive in nature. The Family Services Specialist I carries out tasks requested by the assigned Family Services Specialist II in accordance with federal, state and department guidelines. The position will require an ability to respond quickly to a crisis.

Selected duties are done independently with regular consultation with the Family Services Specialist II and other professionals. Supervision is received from a child welfare supervisor.

The base schedule for this position is determined by the Family Services Specialist Supervisor. Telework is at the discretion of the Family Services Specialist Supervisor.

Examples of Duties

• Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling;
• Interviews and assesses clients;
• Provides casework and advocacy services to assist clients in confronting and resolving emotional and environmental problems;
• Make ongoing assessments of risks and develops safety plans;
• Prepares social histories and psychosocial assessments, develops treatment and/or service plans, and makes recommendations;
• Monitors client’s progress and works with client to adjust goals and develop strategies to meet their changing needs;
• Provides information, referrals and resources;
• Serves as a mediator between clients, family members, and service providers;
• Mobilizes community and resources on behalf of clients;
• Identifies and assess service delivery gaps and recommends solutions;
• Assists with special programs, marketing and promotional strategies;
• Resolves complaints;
• Composes correspondence, maintains records, files and documents;
• Writes reports and gathers statistical data;
• Maintains confidentiality of client files and information;
• Attends staff meetings, conferences, in service trainings and workshops;
• Assumes special projects;
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work which includes knowledge of individual, family and group therapy techniques, as well as crisis intervention; some knowledge of community resources or the ability to readily acquire such knowledge; ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to work collaboratively with others; ability to create service plans; ability to understand and interpret laws, policies and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Serv