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FAMILY SERVICE WORKER SPECIALIST

Date: May 29, 2025

Req ID: 49620

Location:

Jonesboro, AR, US, 72401

Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Anticipated Starting Salary: $40,340.00

Position Number: 22109472

County: Craighead

Posting End Date: 06/07/2025

Anticipated Starting Salary: $40,340.00

DCFS

Hiring Official: Lorie Hutto

Special Work Conditions: This position will be responsible for facilitating Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings for their assigned counties. A Team Decision-Making meeting is a facilitated meeting to determine if a child needs to be separated from their parent/primary caregiver due to the parent/primary caregiver behaviors that threaten a child’s safety. TDM facilitators guide teams through a structured, solution-focused process. The meeting seeks to make a “live” decision or recommendation about if that child(ren) can be left in the home or if there is a serious threat and the child(ren)needs to be removed. TDM facilitators also engage community and service providers to secure community locations and determine what services and supports are available for families within the community.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in data entry and Children’s Reporting Information System (CHRIS) and Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook and Excel is preferred. Experience in assessing safety and completing child welfare investigations and/or monitoring protective services cases and/or foster care cases preferred. Ability and experience in scheduling and addressing medium to large groups and engaging in community stakeholders is also preferred.

The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.

Position Information

Class Code: M027C

Grade: GS07

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $40,340.00 - $64,343.00

Summary

The Family Service Worker Specialist is responsible for providing protective foster care and supportive services for abused or neglected children. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Recommends the opening of protective services, foster care or supportive services cases and provides direct casework service. Conducts home studies and may investigate suspected child abuse and neglect complaints. Develops case plans to establish goals, objectives, tasks, and time frames for all parties involved in case. Recruits and trains foster families and visits parents on a regular basis to monitor progress toward case objectives. Intervenes in crisis situations, removes the child from the home if the situation is life threatening and arranges for temporary placement in foster homes, group homes, or treatment facilities. Prepares court reports for custody hearings and presents testimony when necessary. Attends or conducts staff meeting to discuss investigative findings and observations and to develop and monitor case plans. Acts as lead worker by assigning and reviewing work, training new employees and providing input on employee evaluations as needed. Provides counseling and guidance to clients in defining their needs, interests, and courses of action and refers clients to other professionals, agencies, services, or community resources appropriate to client's problems. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles and practices of counseling, social work and case management. Knowledge of the principles, techniques and methods of investigating. Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, guidelines, and agency policies and programs governing foster care, protective services, and related programs. Knowledge of human services resources. Ability to evaluate family problems and develop a plan of action for improving relationships. Ability to interview and obtain information. Ability to prepare, present and review oral and written technical and confidential information and reports. Ability to perform case and situation analysis and develop plans for remedial action. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others. Ability to provide technical assistance in specialized program area.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology or a related field; plus three years of experience as a social field worker, or related area. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

None

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Nearest Major Market:Jonesboro