Family Support Worker (Investigations Administration)

General InformationThe Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is a cabinet-level agency within the District of Columbia government, committed to the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and families residing in the District of Columbia. Charged with protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect, CFSA fosters collaborations within its administrations to deliver exceptional family-focused services to the community and its residents.Job SummaryThis position is located in the Office of Hotline and Investigations Administration within the Child and Family Services Agency. The Family Support Worker (FSW) is responsible for providing an array of support services to the clients by assisting and partnering with the agency staff of the assigned program and coordinating with the community members, service providers, and other concerned entities to ensure delivery of services.Duties And ResponsibilitiesThe Family Support Worker duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:Performs casework, group work, and community organization work. Assists the social work team to assess the needs and strengths of families and to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect.Participate in home visits and/or investigations to determine the needs of clients and/or gather pertinent information related to the child and/or family. Assists in locating the assessment sites; conducts unaccompanied home visits in safe situations; or facilitates visitations, arranging or transporting of children; assists with physical oversight of groups of children and enters observational information into FACES as appropriate.Provides a wide range of complex support social services for complicated cases. With guidance, develop plans for and provide appropriate assistance and services on a continuing basis to children and family members. Makes recommendations for planned use of agency resources and auxiliary services. Assists Social Workers by discussing and documenting clinically related information into the case record.Interviews children, families, neighbors, professional groups, and other interested parties to obtain or provide information. Makes referral for assessments. Establishes and maintains linkages with community agencies and facilities that provide client services.Contacts collateral sources such as neighbors, landlords, schools, clinics, and other service providers to gather information necessary for the timely delivery of services. Prepare reports and findings on home visits and/or investigations.Assists the social worker in completing specified paper and record searches to locate hard-to-find families by engaging diligent search services or by searching and clarifying existing data, checking files, and contacting other agencies as necessary.Provides services related to planned or emergency placement of children or other emergency assistance, under the direction of the social worker or supervisory social worker.Maintains statistical data regarding the number of children, family members, or other group served and the types of services provided. Works with other Social Workers and professional staff to share knowledge of pertinent resources that affect children and/or families.Participate in educational training seminars, conferences, and workshops.Performs other related duties as assigned.Qualifications And EducationMust possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the grade 07 level in the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position including, but are not limited to, performing support related casework, group work, and community organization work; assisting the social work team to assess the needs and strengths of families and to help investigate reports of child abuse and neglect; participating in home visits and/or investigations to determine the needs of clients and/or gather pertinent information related to the child and/or family; or other similar social support duties.ORAn equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.Bachelor’s degree in social work or in a related social services field, i.e., psychology, sociology, to provide support services to Social Workers, is highly preferred. Experience working with children will be a plus and the ability to speak Spanish is highly preferredLicenses and CertificationsRequired to drive and maintain a current valid Driver’s License.Working Conditions/EnvironmentWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, extreme cold and extreme heat; unsanitary conditions, e.g., spoiled foods, feces, urine, and disease. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Other Significant FactorsTour of Duty Availability: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm; 3:00 pm - 1:30 am (alternating months; Mon-Thurs and Thurs-Sun). Please be aware that while the administration tries to observe specified T.O.D, there are times when asked to start working before or after their T.O.D to meet the demands related to the nature of the work.Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is covered under the collective bargaining agreement.Duration of Appointment: Career Service (CS) – RegularPay, Plan, Series & Grade: CS-301-9Position Designation: This position is designated as “essential” and “safety” sensitive in accordance with DPM Chapters 12 and 4, respectively. The incumbent is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check (as applicable), pre-employment drug and alcohol test, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test, random drug and alcohol test, and return-to-duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test.Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.Closing Statement: Official Job Offers are made by D.C. Child and Family Services Agency's Human Resources Only.