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Family Search Specialist (human Services Coordinator Ii)

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$47,271.33 - $78,785.62 Annually
Closing date
Aug 27, 2022

Job Details

Job Announcement

This is an exciting time to join Fairfax County Government as we shape racial and social equity policies in the county through the One Fairfax Policy. Using this framework, we intentionally consider equity when making policies or delivering programs and services. To learn more, we highly encourage you to watch the Becoming One Fairfax—An Introduction to Key Concepts video by clicking here and visit the One Fairfax webpage here. In alignment with One Fairfax, Department of Family Services (DFS) is committed to strengthening the well-being of its diverse community. To learn more about DFS and its Mission, Vision, and Values, please click here.

ABOUT THIS POSITION: Do you find yourself spending hours on Ancestry.com? Do your friends come to you for all their private investigating needs? If so, DFS is seeking a full-time Family Search Specialist (Human Service Coordinator II) to support the Division of Children, Youth and Families (CYF). If you are looking to work in a diverse community to support the permanency and well-being of children and families, then this opportunity may be ideal for you. This position is a member of the Foster Care and Adoption (FC&A) Permanency Unit within the FC&A Resource and Support Program. Under general direction of the Supervisor, the Family Search Specialist uses investigative skills to identify and engages with potential relative caregivers for all youth in care, to promote family connections, permanency, and placement stability.

Duties and responsibilities include:
  • Conducts relative searches for all children at separation, at each placement change and annually
  • Conducts case record reviews/case mining, phone calls, and internet searches to identify family members and other meaningful people who can provide a positive lifelong and permanent connection for youth in foster care
  • May complete initial contact with relatives and or fictive kin to gather contact information, basic demographics, and family information
  • Creates a Family Search report for each search completed
  • Participates in multidisciplinary teams to support the work of the division
  • Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The appointee for this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA):
  • Possess knowledge of Family Search and Engagement techniques and tools
  • Advanced computer searching skills, with the ability to use technology to locate relatives and connections
  • Basic knowledge of child welfare best practices including kinship placement family dynamics
  • Effective interpersonal and organizational skills
  • Effective oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently.

Note: All Fairfax County Government employees are expected to adhere to the Standards of Conduct. In maintaining a drug free workplace, employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while at work or on county premises.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in one of the social or behavioral sciences and one year of experience in full performance level human services coordination work in public, private, or volunteer organization.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services Registry check.

This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW), Psychology, or related field.
  • Experience in child welfare to include Child Protective Services, Foster Care and Adoption, Prevention services.
  • Strong computer skills using search databases and social media (ex. Ancestry, Facebook)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to use a personal computer. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview may include practical exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.

Company

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the County's population exceeds that of seven states. The median household income of Fairfax County is one of the highest in the nation and over half of its adult residents have four-year college degrees or more educational attainment. Fairfax County also is home to an extensive commercial office market and is a major employment center.

Fairfax County Government is a great place to work, with a variety of jobs in different fields, great benefits, and an enjoyable working environment. We serve nearly one million residents in one of the largest counties in the country. Our talented employees have established Fairfax County as a leader in nearly every facet of public service and have won national recognition as innovators in local government.The size of Fairfax County government and the diversity of services it provides to citizens allows opportunities for personal growth and development, without ever having to change employers. In addition to pay, Fairfax County Government provides an employee benefits package worth approximately 25% of your salary in additional compensation. This package of benefits consists of programs designed to protect you and your family during your employment with the county and into your retirement years.


BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Term Life Insurance
Contributory Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Flexible Spending Account Programs
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Plan
Tuition Assistance Program
Employees' Child Care Center
Virginia College Savings Plans

Fairfax County's Application Process: Fairfax County uses an online application process called NEOGOV at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/jobsfor nearly all positions.

Applicants who need assistance with the online application process are welcome to come to the Application Center at Fairfax County's HR Central where staff will be happy to work with you to establish an account and get your resume into the system. HR Central is located in the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 270, Fairfax, VA, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or call 703-222-5872 for more information.

For more information on applying, please click here - https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide.

Company info
Website
Location
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 270
Fairfax
VA
22035-0034
US

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