The Frederick County Division of Family Services is dedicated to ensuring all residents connect to community resources that support the livability, well-being, and sustainability of children, youth, and families. The benefits of community services are far reaching and vital to each and every individual, family, and community in Frederick County. We believe that the best way to support children, youth, and families is by listening to expressed needs and allowing community voice to be our guide in... more details
JOB INFORMATION
The Frederick County Division of Family Services is dedicated to ensuring all residents connect to community resources that support the livability, well-being, and sustainability of children, youth, and families. The benefits of community services are far reaching and vital to each and every individual, family, and community in Frederick County.
We believe that the best way to support children, youth, and families is by listening to expressed needs and allowing community voice to be our guide in direct service delivery and funding pertinent community programs that sustain the family unit. We encourage you to learn more about the ways our division supports our community by visiting our website HERE!
Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; Monday - Friday; full benefits
The Services Specialist is responsible for the coordination of services for families and youth across the spectrum of child-related needs from birth through young adulthood (age 24) by supporting families in navigating appropriate community resources such as mental health and prosocial activities to keep the family unit together. The position will provide direct services and develop an initial assessment, provide referrals and social supports, develop and implement an action plan and coordinate services with families in the community. Supervision is received from the Deputy Director of the Division of Family Services.
Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D benefit
Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Vesting after 5 years of service
Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, etc.
For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform needs assessment, using a motivational interviewing model and verify eligibility of families to develop an action plan which includes identification of family’s needs and strengths
Manage caseload of families; develop solutions to effectively link families and agencies
Plan for, facilitate and continually update action plan via written and/or electronic documentation in coordination with the Local Care Team
Develop action plan and maintain records of service being provided to family and caregivers with details of systems contacted; organize and maintain family data and case notes using various data collection tools
Educate the public about resources available to children with intensive behavioral and mental health needs and their caregivers; provide service linkage to other agencies
Assess the family’s needs for additional financial support and potential barriers; research and apply for local grants on behalf of family
Attend all Local Care Team meetings to coordinate direct service needs based on the recommendations provided at the team meetings ; at meetings discuss family issues, as needed
Assist families with completing process and paperwork for out of home placement including voluntary placement agreements, residential or diagnostics facilities; coordinate and assist families when child is existing a residential treatment center and assist family with re-entry service linkages
Recognize and promote family’s readiness, willingness, and ability to participate in accessing services
Support families in the acquisition and completion of the necessary procedures for out of home placement
Perform monthly and/or weekly follow ups with families through home visits, phone calls, email, text, etc. as needed; track and analyze in-coming service inquires and outcomes
Problem solve with participants, intervene in crises, and provide appropriate resource and referral information
Support families as they take steps to access services including attending meetings, participating on phone calls, court appearances, IEP meetings, and family team discussion meetings, assisting in the completion of applications
Participate in trainings, point in time counts and programmatic reporting
Assist families in applying for financial opportunities within the community to assist with paying for recommended services
Participate in community resource planning and related work to establish better relationship with service delivery systems
Collaborate with other stakeholders to help identify barriers for the children, youth and caregivers
Listen and work to address barriers with families by identifying available supports, programs, resources to ensure goals are met; work with families to resolve barriers
Support families in the acquisition and completion of the necessary policies and procedures for out of home placement
Advocate for the expressed needs of families in service delivery including IEP meetings and other support meetings
Develop positive and trusting relationships with individuals and families by providing regular contact and support
Maintain, analyze and produce written reports based on demographic and other data collected upon enrollment.
Assist the LCT Coordinator with compiling and maintaining a comprehensive resource guide related to the needs of the clients served
As needed, participate in outreach activities/events and community engagement efforts for the department and division
Attend and participate in collaborative community workgroups, trainings, and conferences that support the well-being of children, youth and families
Perform other related duties as required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Level I Requirements: ($25.70 per hour)
Associate’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, or any related field
Minimum 2 years of direct service work experience in social work, counseling or another human services field providing services to children, youth or families
Possession of a valid automobile drivers license
NOTE: Additional years of work experience may substitute for the educational requirement
Level II Requirements: ($27.50 per hour)
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology or a closely related field
Minimum 1 year of direct service work experience in social work, counseling, or another human services field providing services to children, youth or families
Possession of a valid automobile drivers license
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
Considerable knowledge of local community services and available programs (local, state and federal) related to children, youth, families, and caregivers such as various types of therapy modalities, traditional and non-traditional support services that reflect the diverse care needs of our community
Knowledge of challenges families and youth face such as poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use/abuse and/or mental health
Knowledge and willingness to learn various service delivery systems, benefits, and supports available to families including out of home placement procedures.
Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including facilitating groups and presenting workshops/seminars
Strong clerical skills with ability to accurately prepare and maintain records and program documentation
Ability to effectively compile, analyze and present statistics and other program information
Ability to maintain pertinent and professional and ethical standards at all times
Ability to actively listen with empathy and encourage participants to communicate their needs
Ability to make ethical decisions with full knowledge Frederick County policies and procedures
Ability to effectively organize work, multitask, establish priorities, solve problems, manage time effectively and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision.
Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and equipment (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, data management, etc.)
Ability to build a trusting, collaborative partnership with assigned families
Ability to work with sensitive, personal information and maintain appropriate confidentiality
Ability to organize time effectively to meet assigned work demands
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse educational, cultural, and economic backgrounds; public officials and program administrators; adult and adolescent program participants; co-workers and the general public
PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:
Secondary language skills in Spanish
Education or experience in motivational interviewing techniques
Experience in use of the CANS Assessment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit, walk, and reach
While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and frequently work outdoors
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
Ability to provide own transportation to drive to family residences, court and/or school as needed
Required licensures must be maintained throughout tenure of employment
Available for varied working hours to accommodate meetings, programs, etc.
EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include): 1. An evaluation of training and experience 2. Job related office skills testing 3. One or more interviews 4. A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation
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