Family Service Worker

SummaryThe Family Service Worker is responsible for providing protective foster care and supportiveservices for abused or neglected children. This position is governed by state and federallaws and agency policy.Typical FunctionsInvestigates suspected child abuse and neglect complaints by making on-site visits, securing background information, and interviewing parties involved. Discusses investigative findings and observations with supervisor and recommends the opening of protective services, foster care, or supportive services cases. Intervenes in crisis situations, removes the child from the home if the situation is life threatening, and arranges for temporary placement in foster homes, group homes, or treatment facilities. Develops a case plan to establish goals, objectives, tasks and time frames for all parties involved in case. Provides counseling and guidance to clients in defining their needs, interests, and courses of action and refers clients to other professionals, agencies, services, or community resources appropriate to clients' problems. Recruits and trains families, conducts home studies and family assessments to determine appropriate child placements, and visits clients and/or foster parents on a regular basis to monitor progress toward case objectives. Documents all case work activities and developments and prepares court reports for custody hearings and presents testimony when necessary. Performs other duties as assigned.Special Job DimensionsKnowledge, Abilities, and SkillsKnowledge of the principles and practices of counseling, social work and case management. Knowledge of the principles, techniques and methods of investigation. Ability to evaluate family problems and develop a plan of action for improving relationships. Ability to interview and obtain information. Ability to prepare, present and review oral and written technical and confidential information and reports.Minimum Education and/or ExperienceThe formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology or a related field; plus successful completion of agency core training. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.Preferred QualificationsComputer skills including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word & Outlook).

People skills, assessment skills, and organizational skills.

Excellent communication skills - both written and verbal

Must be able to speak to a public group and in court testimony

Team player.

Be able to organize and display time management skills

Ability to Work with Community Partners

Knowledge of Resources to Support Families

Child Welfare ExperienceCertificates, Licenses, RegistrationsAgency Specific InformationDivision Name

Division of Children and Family ServicesHiring Official

Carveyeta BridgesSpecial Work Condition

The FSW is expected to be prepared to work non- standard work hours which often include evenings, weekends and holidays; be on a 24 hour on-call rotation for up to 7 days at a time.

Operate a motor vehicle safely with the ability to transport children and adults for services. Work effectively under pressure in a frequently stressful environment.

Ability to work with families on environmental neglect issues such as unsanitary houses. Possible exposure to verbal or physical abuse may be encountered from clients served.

Able to lift weight (i.e., picking up children) up to 50 lbs.Special Application Information

GENERAL INFORMATION:

All DHS applicants must complete drug screening, as outlined in DHS Policy 1087, prior to being hired.

Applications are prescreened according to the state application, addenda, résumé, transcript, licenses and any other information that is submitted. Only transcripts should be submitted at the time of applications; reference letters, certificates, and licenses should be brought at the time of interview. Failure to complete the application form according to instructions with complete and accurate information will adversely impact your comparison to other candidates. List all prior work experience, including military service, with most recent employment first. You may include volunteer or unpaid work as part of your work history; however, you should include the number of hours per week which you performed these duties.

False, misleading, or incomplete statements may result in disciplinary action and possible termination.

Benefits package may include: health & life insurance, vacation & sick time, paid holidays, credit union membership, retirement, career bonus, and deferred compensation.

CONTINUOUSLY ADVERTISED POSITIONS:

Submitting an application for a continuously advertised position does not guarantee that a job is available for that position title; e-mails stating that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for a position are for future reference. Applications submitted for continuously advertised positions are kept on file for 60 days. As jobs for that position title become available, eligible applications in that file that match the county and division criteria will be considered. On your application you should have designated in which counties and divisions you are willing to work. Please keep in mind that you will not appear on hiring lists for counties you do not designate. Do not select “statewide” from this county list.

FOR ALL FAMILY SERVICE WORKER POSITIONS ONLY:

EXPERIENCE CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THIS JOB TITLE

Applicants must submit an official transcript by mail in addition to applications for all levels of Family Service Worker positions except for Family Services Assistant positions. Transcripts will remain on file for future applications. The following Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees are valid for such Family Service Worker-type positions:

Behavior Science

Child and Family Development

Child Development

Counseling (any field)

Criminal Justice

Education: Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Level, Secondary, or Special

Family & Consumer Science

Family Development

Family Services

Home Economics

Human Development & Family Studies

Human Services

Psychology

Rehabilitation Science

Social Welfare

Sociology

Social Work

Mail your transcript to the following address:

Arkansas Department of Human Services

Attn: Recruitment

P.O. Box 1437, Slot W301

Little Rock, AR 72203

The transcript must be an official transcript sent from the university or college you attended. The transcript must still have the envelope sealed with the security seal affixed. Once the seal is broken, the transcript is considered void.