Foster Care and Adoption Specialist
Family Services Specialist - Foster Care and Adoption
Are you looking for a rewarding career in human services? Do you enjoy getting out into the community and working directly with children and families? As a Foster Care Specialist with the Winchester Department of Social Services, you will have the opportunity to work with parents, relatives and foster families to find a permanent, safe place for children to live and thrive. Check out our recruitment page: https://www.winchesterva.gov/dss/recruitment
IN THIS ROLE, YOU WILL:
- Work with families to achieve permanent living arrangements for children in foster care through either reunification with parents, custody transfer to a relative, or adoption
- Schedule and attend home visits in order to ensure children in foster care are safe and that their physical, emotional, and educational needs are being met
- Communicate with foster families regularly, connecting them with needed services
- Promote family reunification and provide support for children transitioning back home
- Engage and support families through collaborative family partnership meetings
- Prepare court reports, affidavits and testify in court
- Complete required documentation in a timely manner, in accordance with state and local policy
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU IF YOU:
- Are motivated by working to achieve permanency for children in foster care
- Respond well to the unexpected and are able to roll with the punches
- Have a positive attitude and are resilient in the face of challenges
- Are a natural problem-solver and excel at working through tricky situations
- Enjoy working as part of a team
- Are proactive and persistent -- whatever it takes to get the job done!
- Are organized and able to keep up with documentation and paperwork
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive benefits package - see more at https://www.winchesterva.gov/human-resources
- Tight-knit team atmosphere
- Extensive training and shadowing opportunities
- Consistent coaching and mentorship on the job
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field, or a Bachelor's Degree in any field with two years of related experience in Social Work.
- Within 90 days of employment, you must have a driving commute within a one-hour time frame of the City of Winchester limits.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Check to make sure you’re a good fit by doing the following two things:
- View the realistic job preview for this position: https://youtu.be/e-fPuybcOpQ
- Complete this assessment tool. You will be asked to bring your ratings total if contacted for an interview: https://bit.ly/3enjAnP