Job Announcement

This position includes a signing bonus of $2,500 (full-time) for new county hires.

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.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:
The Department of Family Services (DFS) Adult and Aging Division welcomes applicants interested in the Adult Services Social Services Specialist III position.

• Assess functional eligibility for mandated Long Term care Medicaid, including nursing facility, Adult Day Health, and community-based waivers.
• Serves as a resource to families and other service providers regarding services for adults in Fairfax County. In collaboration with the client, develops a client centered, solution focused care plan to meet psychosocial, health, emotional and financial needs. Care plan development may include obtaining input from multidisciplinary teams. Assess risks posed to clients in accordance with state and local policies and with consideration of client's self-determination and right to least restrictive alternatives. Help clients and families with plans to eliminate risk.
• Conducts in home assessments and authorizes local home-based care and home delivered meals. Monitors the provision and quality of in-home services. Works with the client, family, and service providers to resolve service delivery issues.
• Assess appropriateness for volunteer services and works in conjunction with volunteer service providers to coordinate services.
• Prepares appeal documents and represents the Department in administrative appeals filed by clients and their families.
• Completes required paperwork and follows policy required by the state. Utilizes local and state information systems for individual client record keeping and tracking. Performs record keeping according to local and state policy requirements within designated timeframes. May generate reports related to other services.
• Assists in education, both County staff and the community at large concerning the goals and objectives the Adult Services program. Includes public speaking and outreach to community groups. Contributes to the development of policies and procedures.
• Assist Unit supervisor as needed during his/her absence in assigning cases, staffing, supporting team etc.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Contributes to the development of protocols, policies, procedures, grants and contracts for a social services program, department, and other entities;
Assists the supervisor in planning and carrying out training for new staff, providing guidance to staff. May directly supervise staff, and covers for the supervisor in their absence;
Serves as a policy expert in an area of social work specialization;
Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments and prepares and implements service plans;
Works with clients to develop a plan of service to meet social, health, emotional and economic needs. With the client, formulates objectives and identifies actions to resolve the clients' problems;
Conducts home visits to families for the purpose of monitoring, counseling and supervision;
Makes assessment of risks posed to clients in accordance with state and local policies, and works to ensure risks are eliminated or minimized;
Advocates and assists families and individuals in obtaining services (e.g., mental health, intellectual disability, alcohol and drug, housing referrals, home based services, training and medical services);
Communicates and works with colleagues, clients and the community in a manner that supports the agency and program goals and objectives;
Participates as a contributing member on interagency, multi-disciplinary teams, community groups and professional organizations;
Provides training and education on a variety of social work topics;
Uses automated technology and hard copy files to maintain and update case data, notes, documents, records, contacts and summaries of information;

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of social work;
Thorough knowledge of current social service problems and methods/approaches to address issues;
Thorough knowledge of regulations and guidelines relating to the assigned area of social service specialization;
Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures;
Ability to analyze case information and to reach sound decisions on the basis of such information;
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
Ability to use automated technology to establish and maintain case records;
Ability to maintain professional ethics and confidentiality of client information;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.;
Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines;
Ability to provide guidance, direction, supervision and coaching to less-experienced staff;
Ability to provide management and oversight of a program or project.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus three years of professional social work experience. A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED
Valid driver's license.
Medicaid pre-admission screening (Required within 60 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW)
• Social work or mental health experience with older adults or adults with disabilities.
• Working knowledge of long-term care.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience using automated technology and software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sufficiently mobile to do home visits and able to communicate with clients. Ability to operate a motor-vehicle. Ability to lift 10 lbs. Ability to use automated technology. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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