Job Announcement

The Department of Family Services (DFS) Adult & Aging Division welcomes applicants interested in a Social Services Specialist III (SSS III) position within the Adult Protective Services (APS) unit. The SSS III serves as the point person and coordinator for Adult Protective Services’ financial exploitation services. Works in conjunction with the Police Department and others to establish a financial exploitation task force. Coordinates activities of the task force. Provides training to APS staff, other County staff, and the community about financial exploitation. Works in conjunction with Public Affairs staff in communicating public prevention information. Conducts investigations in response to the financial exploitation of the elderly and incapacitated adults, and-- may investigate situations involving risk of neglect and abuse. Responds to emergency case to stabilize the situation. Assesses the need and extent of protective services required and--in collaboration with the client develop a person centered, solution focused care plan to prevent and ameliorate abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Presents cases to multi-disciplinary teams, including the financial exploitation task force, the division’s pre-guardianship panel and the division’s care planning team. Assesses the need for Guardianship/Conservatorship and facilitates the process to include medical documentation, preparation of information required for petitions, testimony in court and advocacy. Works with the division’s QA in establishing best practice in investigating financial exploitation and in providing protective services. Provides consultation to APS staff about financial exploitation. Provides and meets federal, state and local record requirements. Makes public presentations to human service agencies and community organizations to promote awareness of services available to prevent and address abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of elderly and incapacitated adults. For social workers working towards clinical licensure under the regulations of the Virginia board of social work and receiving supervision by an approved clinical supervisor, the following will be required: provide a minimum of 15 hours of weekly face-to-face clinical services; conduct detailed psychosocial assessments; determine diagnoses using a recognized manual of mental and emotional disorders and/or recognized system of problem definition (such as the DSM-V); provide crisis intervention and stabilization services, counseling, and/or psychotherapy to address the issues identified by the psychosocial assessment (such as mental disorders, substance abuse, marriage and family dysfunction, and problems caused by social and psychological stress and/or health impairment). Utilizes state and local data systems for client record keeping, tracking, and interagency collaboration. Performs record keeping duties pertaining to client activities according to state and local policy requirements within designated time frames and standards. Serves on interagency, departmental, and community work groups. Provides supervisory coverage in the absence of Social Services Supervisor. Performs other duties as required and assigned in support of the program, division, and department.

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.

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:
Two (2) years of experience in Adult Protective Services

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).

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:

• Job requires walking, standing, sitting (for long periods of time), kneeling, reaching, bending, climbing stairs; uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel
• Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor/screen
• Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and enter, retrieve, and use computer data in the execution of job duties
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle
• Sufficiently mobile to work with clients, service providers, and community groups outside the office
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs.
• 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 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.