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 here and visit the One Fairfax webpage here .

Please note: this requisition will be used to fill multiple Social Services Specialist III positions in the Division of CYF.

ABOUT THIS POSITION: Supports the Services (DFS) Division of Children, Youth and Families (CYF). We invite you to learn more about DFS and its Mission, Vision, and Values, by clicking here : Under general direction of the Social Services Supervisor, this position performs tasks independently to protect children and build family resilience as articulated by local, state, and federal policies and laws.

Duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Provides clinical casework services for a caseload of children (and their families) who have experienced abuse/neglect or who are at-risk of abuse/neglect
• Casework responsibilities include but are not limited to completion of comprehensive assessments and service plans, care coordination, crisis intervention, and brief counseling
• Attends court hearings and provides professional and legal testimony as needed. Completes casework and documentation in compliance with federal, state, and local policies and procedures
• Develops partnerships with community agencies to provide a holistic approach to service delivery, guaranteeing collaboration and coordination of services offered to children and their families
• Coordinates and attends intra-agency and inter-agency meetings
• Uses automated information systems to maintain case documentation
• Travels throughout the County for the provision of services
• Responds to cases outside of traditional business hours
• Be part of an on-call rotation that includes evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours which may require immediate response into the field
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of child protection laws, rules, and regulations
• Knowledge of foster care and adoption laws, rules, and regulations
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resource as needed

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

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
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.

Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and/or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement .

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) or a related human services degree
• At least two (2) years of experience in child protective services
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• At least three (3) years of experience in child welfare

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.

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

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).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sufficiently mobile to attend home visits, court, and meetings and community events outside the office. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to use automated technology. Work requires performing tasks with risks of secondary traumatic stress (STS). Ability to navigate through and make decisions in stressful and crisis situations. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

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 status as a veteran 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.