Family Services Associate

Full Job Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city.

Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications.

Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others.

With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself.

Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The City of Norfolk’s Department of Human Services (NDHS) provides a wide range of essential services to its citizens.

These services are crucial in supporting the wellbeing of the community and ensuring that all citizens have access to the resources they need.

The NDHS is committed to providing such comprehensive support to its citizens.

The NDHS is seeking a Family Services Associate to educate clients in utilizing available resources to meet their personal, social, health, and economic needs.

The Family Services Associate supports and assists client by providing in-home counseling, empowering parents to become self-sufficient, and assisting in the implementation of prescribed service plans.

The incumbent will collaborate with professionals to enhance service delivery.

The Family Services Associate will also assist with providing support in the implementation of prescribed service plans by supporting and empowering families in accomplishing goals, establishing contacts, and providing information to families on how to access needed services and providing linkage to resources.

Ensures communication by maintaining written case documentation dynamics.

Performs other related duties by providing transportation to clients, performing clerical duties as required and assisting Family Services Workers and Supervisors.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $41,231 - $47,415

Requirements

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Assesses families’ basic needs and requests, budget expenditures to meet needs which enhance family functioning; provide support to children and families in finalizing adoptions; work directly with foster and adoptive parents and/or relatives to prepare for transition and return to their custody.
• Manages caseloads by maintaining files, telephone contacts, referrals to private vendors for services, preparing documents, filing, authorizing payments, transporting clients to appointments, and supervising visitations.
• Performs general math computations and validation of figures compiling for various financial reports.
• Ensures communication by maintaining written case documentation and directly advocates by communicating client data to case managers and the courts, schools, mental health medical professionals and landlords.
• Assists caseworkers with court related duties by attending court hearings with written reports and verbal testimonies, filing petitions and affidavits and coordinating activities with attorneys and law enforcement.
• Obtains additional information/data through various means, including searching records, reviewing State reports, and automated systems searches.
• Prepares monthly statistical reports.
• Provides case management in conjunction with the supervisor and other relevant parties. Keep factual and timely formal records through the use of computer based and other information systems.
• Performs related duties by conducting home studies, preparing written reports of findings, attending and coordinating related meetings, and seeking to resolve crisis situations for families and individuals regarding personal safety, shelter, food and clothing.
• Makes referrals for services by being knowledgeable of local services and resources, working with service providers in the community, serving as a client advocate in accessing services and working with other agencies such as schools, courts and mental health providers.
• Participates in staff and training meetings as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Work requires knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative, or technical nature which may be obtained with a two year associate's degree, diploma or equivalent from a college, technical, business, vocational, or correspondence school. Appropriate certification may be awarded upon satisfactory completion of advanced study or training.

No experience required.

Additional Information

• Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.
• Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus for new hires.

Working Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday