Employment Type : Full-Time
This is the entry-level in the DHS-Child/Family Protection Specialist series. The work involves professional social services, which encompasses the provision of case management services designed to strengthen, rehabilitate, and preserve families; and provide protection and care for children and vulnerable adults in need of supplementary, substitute care, or provide full-time intake services. The incumbents implement the agency's practice model as a foundation to keep children safe primarily in his/her home. Incumbents evaluate the social needs of adults and children; develop a plan directed toward the solution of individual and family problems; and provide protective and placement services for homeless, dependent, or neglected children. Work includes developing and utilizing all agency and community resources to carry out the above objectives with the goal of maintaining children and families safely in his/her home or homelike settings. Incumbents remain on call on a 24-hour basis and may be expected to intervene and/or assist law enforcement in volatile situations involving removing at-risk children/vulnerable adults from abusive parents or guardians. The incumbents receive training related to job content, and must pass a comprehensive test prior to continued employment and/or advancement. Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative superior; and close supervision is received in the form of review of casework plans, recorded narratives, and frequent casework conferences.
Examples of Work:Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides and/or arranges for services such as housing, day care, mental and physical health care, and employment of clients.
Places and supervises children requiring foster home placement.
Addresses legal issues, such as child abuse and neglect, assists with hearings, and provides testimony to inform custody arrangements.
Appears and testifies in Youth Court, Chancery Court, and Circuit Court when subpoenaed to do so.
Documents activities and time spent with clients in the case files, case management systems, and/or agency time studies.
Interviews clients to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
Maintains case history records and prepares reports.
Keeps records of assigned cases.
Participates in case conferences and/or staff meetings.
Consults with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior.
Develops and reviews service plans in consultation with clients and community partners.
Confers with clients to develop plans for post-treatment activities.
Coordinates services with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, and/or social workers.
Conducts preliminary intake interviews.
Assists in the investigative process of reports of neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and/or vulnerable adults.
Implements administrative procedures and the agency's practice model to meet objectives set by senior management.
Minimum Qualifications: These minimum qualifications have been agreed upon by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in this job class and are based upon a job analysis and the essential functions. However, if a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the Mississippi State Personnel Board in writing, identifying the related education and experiences which demonstrated the candidate's ability to perform all essential functions of the position. EXPERIENCE/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in social work, social services, psychology, educational psychology, sociology, nursing, criminal justice, counseling, marriage and family therapy, family studies, or a related field.
Required Document:
Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance, which will be verified by the hiring agency.
Essential Functions:Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring agency. The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: Develops and assists in the development of placement service plans for homeless, dependent, and/or neglected children.
Implements the agency's practice model for the provision of case management services.
Completes special assignments, investigations and pre-service and ongoing training requirements.
Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.