An incumbent in this class functions at the entry level and directly provides, coordinates and monitors the delivery of professional social service to children, youth and families to resolve problems involving child abuse, neglect, dependency, antisocial behavior and family dysfunction.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interviews clients and family members to gather personal, social and background information; works closely with the client and family to:  formulate a clear description of the client and family's problems; identify the key forces which maintain the problems; discover resources and strengths available to the client and family to resolve the problems; and identify the blocks if any preventing the client and family from resolving the problems without the intervention of the State agency.
   
• Determines eligibility for various social service programs offered by the agency or available in the community.
   
• In collaboration with the client and family, and with consultation from a technical superior, develops and implements service/treatment plans, outlining the goals and objectives to be accomplished, methods and techniques to be used, and anticipated results; helps the client and family to obtain community, social and/or therapeutic services and resources needed to accomplish plans and objectives.
   
• Conducts individual and family counseling sessions with clients and members of the family to aid in achieving satisfactory social development and adjustment to specific problems and situations.
   
• Assesses progress toward goals and makes recommendations on reclassification, discharge and/or aftercare.
   
• Prepares social histories, client progress reports, evaluation and discharge summaries; prepares and maintains a variety of records and files pertaining to clients assigned to caseload.
   
• Enforces court orders and conditions of community supervision as required. Attends court hearings and other judicial proceedings to answer questions; makes recommendations and prepare progress reports regarding clients.
   
• May be called upon to intervene in crisis situations such as potential suicides, assault and battery against youth, and sexual abuse cases.  May be required to isolate and/or physically restrain youths who are acting out.
   
• May be required to perform emergency duty which requires being on continuous call for an assigned time period.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Family Service Specialist
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

Criminal background check:  A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire. 

 Union:  As a condition of accepting employment, the person selected for this position shall join and pay dues to the labor organization or may, instead not join but pay a service fee no greater than the dues.  The labor organization has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other work related purposes.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at http://ben.omb.delaware.gov/programs/index.shtml.

The application is evaluated based upon a rating of training and experience.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at www.delawarestatejobs.com.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  The State of Delaware – An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.