Family Services Specialist III (FSS III)

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services
Community and Social Services Occupations – Family Services Group
Pay Band: Tier B | EEO Code: 6
Occupational Title: Family Services Specialist III

About the Position

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services is seeking highly motivated applicants with a strong commitment to high‑quality internal and external customer service. This recruitment will fill one (1) Family Services Specialist III position, which may be assigned to any area of Family Services. While this role replaces a Child Protective Services (CPS) FSS III, the selected candidate may provide services across Adult Protective Services (APS), Child Protective Services (CPS), Foster Care, Adoptions, and, depending on agency needs, Child Care or Employment Services.

Employees in the Family Services Specialist III classification perform complex work in specialized program areas and play an essential role in protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening families, and supporting community wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities (Illustrative, Not Exhaustive)

Client Services & Case Management

• Investigate reports of adult and child abuse and neglect; conduct interviews; assess safety, permanency, strengths, needs, and wellbeing.
• Provide ongoing case management within assigned program areas.
• Develop written service plans documenting SMARTer goals, objectives, and service details.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive case records; code, enter, and update cases in state systems.
• Conduct fieldwork and home visits; transport adults and children to placements, visits, appointments, meetings, and services.
• Refer clients to appropriate community resources and coordinate services.
• Conduct intensive in‑home counseling and prepare progress reports for referral sources.

Legal & Court‑Related Duties

• Prepare court‑ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
• Attend court hearings, provide testimony, file petitions, and coordinate cases with attorneys.
• Accompany victims and families to court appearances.
• Interpret and apply laws, policies, and regulations related to program responsibilities.

Program Administration & Community Engagement

• Monitor and manage program caseloads, expenditures, waiting lists, and reporting requirements.
• Train foster parents and provide parent education within target populations.
• Serve as a resource to clients and the community within assigned program expertise.
• Deliver training programs, workshops, and public education on adult/child abuse and neglect.
• Represent the agency at civic, business, and community events.
• Participate in task forces, strategic planning, mentoring, and outreach activities.

Emergency & After‑Hours Response

• Provide after‑hours on‑call coverage and respond to adult/child protective services and foster care emergencies.
• Function within shelter environments during natural or other disasters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Social work principles and practices.
• Human behavior and motivational theory.
• Laws, policies, and regulations governing human service program areas.
• Investigative and interviewing techniques.
• Legal procedures relevant to APS, CPS, Foster Care, and Adoptions.
• Social, economic, and health‑related challenges impacting individuals and families.

Skills

• Operation of a personal computer and associated software.
• Operation of a motor vehicle.

Abilities

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Interview, assess, counsel, and refer clients.
• Investigate high‑risk cases and testify in court.
• Develop and present training programs.
• Interpret laws/policies and develop/implement service plans.
• Analyze complex case information within legal and policy frameworks.
• Manage emotional client situations and maintain diplomacy under stress.
• Plan/manage work activities including documentation and reporting.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Stay current with developments and trends in the social work field.

Qualifications

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field, OR Bachelor’s degree in any field plus two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (per 22VAC40‑670‑20). Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Preferred:
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker License.
  • Experience as a Family Services Specialist II or higher employed by a Virginia Local Department of Social Services.
  • Two or more consecutive years of experience as a Child Protective Services (CPS) or Adult Protective Services (APS) Family Services Specialist II or higher.
• Additional Requirements:
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight.
• Ability and willingness to perform after‑hours on‑call duties (APS, CPS, Foster Care).
• Ability and willingness to work in shelter environments during disasters.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License.
• Successful completion of fingerprint‑based criminal history checks and VDSS Central Registry searches.
• Additional background inquiries may be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interview consideration is based solely on the content of the online application.
Hand‑delivered, mailed, emailed, or faxed applications will not be accepted.

Mecklenburg County DSS is an equal opportunity employer and honors the Commonwealth of Virginia’s veteran hiring preference.