CFS Specialist

JOB SUMMARY Practices responsible, professional community social work and provides case management services in accordance with established social work principles. Supports and assists clients and families with personal, family, and social growth. Empower the client/family to the highest level of self-sufficiency. Provides comprehensive casework services to children, adolescents, and families on their assigned caseload. The position is assigned to an on-call rotation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

The CFS Specialist will report directly to the Foster Care Supervisor.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of duties. Nothing in this job description restricts management\’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Due to operational needs, the distribution of time and duties are subject to change with or without notice.

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with youth and young adults in foster care, kinship care, and IL programs
• Develop and assist with planning monthly IL groups that align with IL Skills Assessments
• Inform the IL Specialist of the young adult’s progress towards the achievement of IL goals
• Respond to all prospective foster parent inquiries
• Gather all information needed for assessment and study of potential foster families.
• Provide support, consultation, and educational direction for foster parents and kinship caregivers with respect to the needs of each child placed in their home, helping them to improve their ability to care for the child
• Maintain accurate and timely case record entries into the electronic software database
• Ensure continuity of care is provided to the youth, IL young adults, and provide supervision of birth/adoptive family visits
• Assist with placement referrals for foster care and independent living.
• Provide on call services as scheduled, which includes support to foster families, kinship care, and IL young adults
• Ensure reports are completed by required deadlines.
• Assists in providing transportation as needed for participants in the foster care and IL program
• Ensure compliance with Minimum Standards, program and policies and procedures, child abuse reporting requirements, and the Code of Virginia

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED:

Knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics or KSAOs are attributes needed to perform a job that is demonstrated through qualifying training, education, and experience. This list is not an exhaustive & all-inclusive list of all KSAOs for this job.

Knowledge of:

• Attachment theory, trauma, and impact on child/adolescent development
• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, organizational policies and procedures and state licensing requirements
• Working knowledge of the social, economic, health, and/or disability concerns or problems of an individual and the foster family or birth family within the community
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar
• Knowledge of methodologies and resources used to assess the needs of the listener or audience to share information or engage in ongoing communication

Skill/Ability to:

• Give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
• Verbal and written communication and body language that conveys information, ideas, or inquiries effectively and concisely that purveys professional composure, emotional intelligence, thoughtfulness, patience, and respect amidst change, ambiguity, and within the daily trajectories of work
• Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Diffuse and respond effectively to situations involving intense pressures and/or unpredictable persons
• Assess individuals and families and refer them to appropriate services
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Understand, implement, and interpret policies and regulations
• Managing multiple priorities and completing assignments on time, accurately, and with attention to detail
• Developing and maintaining professional working relationships and appropriate boundaries with individuals served, coworkers, community partners, and business associates
• Effectively market the programs and services of the department and the organization
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
• Make arithmetical computations and tabulations
• Operate a personal computer with a general understanding of MS Office Suites, virtual meeting software, the Internet, and department or program-specific software
• Train others
• Assist with the general upkeep and cleaning of office areas and agency vehicles

Other Characteristics:

• Demonstrate self-awareness, ongoing self-evaluation, and a commitment to being part of a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace where all people are valued
• Demonstrate professional composure in difficult and stressful situations
• Demonstrate the FIRST (fairness, integrity, respect, safety, trust) values in the daily trajectories of work
• Demonstrate professionalism regarding access to sensitive and confidential information related to employees, clients, and business records with no disclosure to others without needing to know

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related fields such as psychology, sociology, special education, or counseling. A baccalaureate degree in any other field may be considered. Minimum related work experience in relevant profession(s) required (in addition to the formal education checked above) for the job—two years of experience in providing casework services to children and families. Applicants not meeting the 2-year requirement may be considered as trainees.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described herein represent those an employee encounters while performing the position\’s essential functions. The employee regularly works in an office environment and occasionally in the field. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent may be exposed to situations of a highly emotional nature; incumbents are expected to use verbal skills to resolve interpersonal situations to achieve desired results independently. Incumbents are exposed to various living situations. Work is generally completed regularly during weekdays; however, daily work hours will vary. Participation in an on-call rotation and completion of job duties outside of normally scheduled hours is required. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, and noise levels are varied based on the work locations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that an employee in this position must meet, with or without reasonable accommodations, to perform the essential functions successfully. Physical activities required are finger dexterity necessary to operate equipment used in the position, effective communication and seeing or hearing verbal cues. Walking for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, sitting up to sixty-seven percent of the time, bending for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, stooping for up to sixty-seven percent of the time, lifting/pushing/pulling no more than twenty pounds are required. When accessing various locations, the incumbent must climb stairs and ramps. This position requires driving to various locations approximately thirty percent of the employee\’s working time. Public transportation may not be available. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should speak with their immediate supervisor/hiring manager

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

After a conditional job offer, the following may be required: current DMV driving record with results that comply with insurer guidelines; drug and alcohol screening with satisfactory results stipulated by applicable governing, funding, or regulatory agencies; criminal and child protective services background report. The applicant shall not have been convicted of any barrier crime(s) on the criminal background report. The applicant will have no founded disposition of child abuse or neglect as documented by the Child Protective Services background report.

NOTE:

This description provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job and the general nature and level of work associated with the job. It should not be interpreted to describe all the duties whose performance may be required of such employees or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

DePaul is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.

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