Family Service Specialist

ABOUT THE ROLE The Family Service Specialist series provides and coordinates professional case management services to children, youth, adults, and families experiencing abuse, neglect, dependency, behavioral concerns, crisis situations, or family dysfunction. Incumbents conduct assessments, provide planning, facilitation, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation through collaboration with clients and other professionals. The role involves conducting child abuse investigations and providing ongoing case management services, including foster care and permanency planning. This position requires the ability to work independently in the office, during home visits, and in community settings, including independent statewide travel. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Provide services to advocate for the health, safety, welfare, or rights of clients and their families - Interview clients and family members to gather personal, social, and background information - Determine eligibility for various social service programs offered by the agency or available in the community - Develop and implement service and treatment plans in collaboration with clients and families - Conduct individual and family counseling sessions to aid in achieving satisfactory social development - Assess progress toward goals and make recommendations on plans such as reclassification, discharge, or emergency protective placement - Prepare social histories, client progress reports, evaluation and discharge summaries, and court reports - Enforce court orders and attend court hearings and judicial proceedings - Intervene in crisis situations such as potential suicides, assault, and sexual abuse cases - Coordinate with law enforcement and emergency staff, and physically restrain clients if necessary MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - One year of experience in professional health or human service work - OR Two years of experience in paraprofessional health or human service work (an Associate's degree may substitute for one year) - OR Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher, or anticipated graduation within 3 months, with coursework in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or a related field SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - Must possess a valid driver's license that is not suspended, revoked, cancelled, or disqualified - Requires statewide travel, which may include driving at night or through adverse weather conditions - Must pass a pre-employment drug test upon receiving a conditional offer - Must pass a satisfactory criminal background check, which the applicant may be required to pay for - Must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verified through E-Verify - Must report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation on the first day of employment SELECTION PROCESS 1. Application and supplemental questionnaire evaluation based on education, training, and experience 2. Review of narrative information and employment, education, and training history as it relates to job requirements 3. Conditional offer of employment requiring successful completion of pre-employment drug testing and criminal background check HOW TO APPLY - Submit an application and supplemental questionnaire online at StateJobs.Delaware.gov - Select specific locations for consideration in the supplemental questionnaire - Provide complete and accurate information including dates of employment, job titles, duties, and educational details - View all correspondence in the My Applications tab on the state jobs website - Contact jobs@delaware.gov or call 302-739-5458 for applicant services support or ADA accommodations EMPLOYMENT DETAILS - Locations: Various locations in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties - Shifts: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and weekend shifts available depending on the specific location - Career Ladder: Eligible for promotion to Senior and Master Family Service Specialist upon satisfactory completion of promotional standards - Union Representation: Organized under an exclusive bargaining representative and covered by a collective bargaining agreement - Equal Opportunity: The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer that values a diverse workforce