Job Announcement

The Division of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) of the Department of Family Services (DFS) is seeking a Social Services Specialist III (SSS III) to manage projects aimed at improving practices to protect children and build family resilience. DFS is committed to strengthening the well-being of its diverse community by protecting and improving the lives of all children, adults, and families through assistance, partnership, advocacy, outreach, and quality services. To learn more about DFS and its Mission, Vision, and Values, please click here.

Under the direction and supervision of the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Coordinator, the SSS III carries out the below duties and responsibilities:

• Assists the CQI Coordinator with providing technical guidance and training to staff relating to complex child welfare casework services
• Manages programs and projects that align with agency principles using CQI and project management approaches and implementation science. Programs or projects may involve but not limited to facilitation, process analysis, qualitative and quantitative analysis, barrier identification, research, benchmarking, and development of strategies to address barriers and build capacity of participants as well as the organization
• Manages and facilitates qualitative reviews of caseload services (internal and external) for CYF to evaluate compliance and quality of practice
• Serves as a policy expert in area of child welfare and assists in the development of policies and procedures
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families and improve outcomes in families

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Incumbent must have proven skills, knowledge, and abilities in the following areas:

• Knowledge of child protection, foster care and adoption laws, rules, and regulations
• Ability to interview, assess needs, counsel, and refer clients to other resource as needed
• Knowledge of CQI principles
• Knowledge of implementation science principles
• Project management experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Proficient in the use of MS Office Suite

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:
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.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Extensive knowledge of human services processes, policies and programs focusing on child welfare.
• Experience assisting organizations with practice improvement and project implementation.
• Experience with Continuous Quality Improvement and Implementation science.
• Knowledge of best practices in social work, specifically in child welfare.
• Project management, and case review experience.
• Experience with mandatory State reviews
• Strong organizational skills.
• Clear and concise oral and written communication skills.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and a Child Protective Services 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 will still be subject to the 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to use automated technology. Sufficiently mobile to conduct site reviews and attend meetings off-site. 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 accommodation.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview, may include 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 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.