Social Services Specialist 1 - 00018306

Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is a dynamic state agency responsible for delivering a wide range of services to Georgia's most vulnerable populations. Our mission is to strengthen Georgia by providing individuals and families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.   

What we offer.  Enjoy a generous benefits package that includes a flexible work schedule, unique training opportunities, employee retirement plan, 401(k) plan and 457 plan, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, long/short-term care, life insurance, and employee discount programs; in addition to telework opportunities depending upon the position.  

Start your career in public service.  The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is seeking candidates for the position of Social Services Specialist 1.  This position is located in Moultrie, Colquitt County, Georgia.

Pay Grade: G

This position has designated special entry salary that is non-negotiable. (With a Bachelors degree the special entry salary is $42,387.99; with a Masters Degree in a behavioral science special entry salary is $45,926.79)  

Under general supervision, the Social Services Specialist 1 provides investigative and comprehensive case management for a caseload involving child/adult abuse or neglect. Makes immediate and follow-up actions for at risk clients in need of protective services and/or placement.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Initiates timely, face-to-face responses to screened-in reports of alleged child maltreatment and conducts assessments that identify and address safety concerns.
• Addresses identified safety concerns by immediately developing and implementing safety plans.
• Conducts diligent search efforts to locate the child/family when unable to make contact.
• Implements Solution Based Casework (SBC).
• Partners with child(ren) and parents in the development and utilization of the Family Functioning Agreement, Action Plan, and Family Plan to achieve desired individual and family-level outcomes.
• Completes genograms to identify available family support network.
• Collaborates with community partners to create systems of support for children and families.
• Ensures that frequency and quality of visits with children and families are adequate to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Identifies the physical, educational, and mental/behavioral health needs of children, parents, and foster parents and ensures identified needs were effectively addressed.
• Establishes permanency goals for the child(ren).
• Ensures foster care placements and/or living situations are stable and in the best interests of the child(ren) and are consistent with achieving established permanency goal(s).
• Makes concerted efforts to achieve permanency for children in a timely manner and consistent with regulations contained in the Adoptions and Safe Families Act.
• Ensures that siblings in foster care are placed together unless a separation is necessary to meet the needs of one of the siblings.
• Maintains child's connections to his or her neighborhood, community, faith, extended family, tribe, school, and friends.
• Promotes, supports, and otherwise maintains a positive and nurturing relationship between the child(ren) in care and their biological parents/caretakers by encouraging and facilitating activities and interactions beyond visitation.
• Documents case management activities within time frames established by policy.
• Celebrates positive outcomes with child(ren) and family.
• Utilizes privately owned vehicle for work-related travel and duties (including transportation of children).
• Routinely serves on after-hours on-call duty.
• Embraces ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must have reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, a valid state-issued driver's license, and an acceptable driving history record.

• Applicants must pass the standard agency testing protocol for the position in which they are hired in order to maintain the position.
• Although agency employees are authorized to telework temporarily, employees are subject to be called into the office as needed.