Master Family Service Specialist

The Delaware Office of Defense Services (ODS) is committed to ensuring that every person—regardless of income, background, or circumstance—is treated fairly and respectfully in the justice system. As Delaware’s public defender agency, ODS protects constitutional rights, supports individuals and families during difficult moments, and works to strengthen trust and fairness across our communities.

Our mission is zealous advocacy for the people. This simple but powerful commitment guides every aspect of our work and reflects our belief that justice must be accessible, humane, and rooted in dignity for all Delawareans. Our work is carried out by a team of dedicated attorneys and professionals across Central Administration, the Public Defender’s Office, and Office of Conflicts Counsel. More than 200 staff members serve Delawareans with compassion, integrity, and a deep belief that dignity, equity, and justice must be accessible to all.

Assistant Public Defenders—together with investigators, forensic social specialists, mitigation specialists, client advocates, legal assistants, and administrative staff—stand beside adults and youth navigating criminal and delinquency charges. They also represent parents in abuse and neglect proceeding in the Family Court, helping protect the fundamental rights of families and ensuring parents have a meaningful voice when facing life-altering decisions. Across all case types, our teams connect clients with needed services, challenge systemic barriers that deepen inequity, and advocate for outcomes that promote healing, stability, and stronger communities. Through this work, ODS strives to ensure that justice in Delaware is not just a principle, but a lived experience for every person we serve.

This position oversees the ODS parental representation programs.  The main functions of this position include coordinating and monitoring the delivery of professional social services to children, youth and families; or adult special populations and families; to resolve problems involving client abuse, neglect, dependency, anti-social behavior, exploitation and family dysfunction, which may include economically disadvantaged clients. This position will work in collaboration with the Parental Representation Division throughout the State of Delaware for individuals who have been justice involved.

Nature and Scope

The incumbent reports to the Parental Representation Program Coordinator. Principal contacts are with parents, managers, line attorneys, and staff throughout the office. Externally, the incumbent will have contact with the community program managers in other state agencies and third-party providers. The ODS Master Family Services Social Specialist will be responsible for providing technical expertise to other staff as well as directly providing case coordination and counseling to children, youth and families, or adult special populations and families. Incumbents work in program support, child protective, child mental health, youth rehabilitation or adult protective agencies. Employees are responsible for the development of service plans for the most unusual and complex cases and for serving in an advisory capacity to other staff in the development of plans. Incumbents interact with treatment facility staff, courts, community-based organizations and private agencies regarding clients' problems and progress. An incumbent obtains case histories, prepares social assessments and determines eligibility for and availability of community resources encompassing multi-faceted needs of the clients. Incumbents are required to review service and/or treatment plans periodically, assessing progress and making the necessary adjustments to accomplish goals. An incumbent may specialize in a particular area of service or have responsibility for a small program area not involving supervisory responsibility. Employees may be required to assist the supervisor by overseeing the implementation of treatment plans by other staff. Securing client cooperation and developing effective interpersonal relationships and intervening in crisis situations are of major significance in this work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of human behavior, behavior deviations and impaired family functioning.
• Knowledge of social, economic, psychological and health factors and the manner in which they may affect the social behavior of individuals and families.
• Knowledge of the principles, theories, methods and techniques of individual, group and family counseling.
• Knowledge of casework principles and practices used in the preparation of service/treatment plans and management of a varied caseload.
• Knowledge of agencies, services and resources available in the community.
• Skill in conducting interviews and investigations of a sensitive nature.
• Skill in applying the pertinent laws, regulations and policies.
• Skill in development of service/treatment plan.
• Skill in family counseling.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, associates, social service representatives and the public.
• Ability to recognize the symptoms of maladjusted behavior. 
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to provide guidance and direction regarding case management.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing

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.

• Provides services to advocate for health, safety and welfare or rights of clients and their families and assists them in obtaining needed services.
•  Interviews clients and family members and/or professionals 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, that prevent the client and family from resolving the problems without the intervention of the State agency. 
• Determine eligibility for various social service programs offered by the agency or available in the community. 
• In collaboration with the client and family 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 group 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 plans such as reclassification, discharge, aftercare, emergency protective placement in emergency or crisis situations, guardianship, petitions or options counseling.

• Prepares social histories, client progress reports, evaluation and discharge summaries, court reports or petitions; 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, make recommendations and present progress reports regarding clients.

• May be called upon to intervene in crisis situations such as potential suicides, assault and battery against clients, and sexual abuse cases. May coordinate with law enforcement and other emergency staff if needed.  May be required to isolate and/or physically restrain clients who are acting out.
• May be required to perform emergency duty which requires being on call for an assigned time period.

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas: 

1. Applicants must possess at least one of the following:

Three years' experience in professional health or human service work.

OR

Possession of an associate's degree AND two years' experience in professional health or human service work.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree or higher.

In addition to the above requirement, applicants must meet all of the job requirements below:

2. One year of experience in health or human services focusing on the safety and welfare of families such as identifying issues, barriers and goals; determining eligibility for and availability of community resources; assisting clients and their families in obtaining needed services; family conflict and crisis resolution and assessing progress towards goals.

3. Two years' experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual's human service needs.

• Please be sure to upload a recent copy of your resume, as you complete the application process for this posting.
• This position is exempt from the State of Delaware Merit System.  
• This posting may close before 3/13/2026 upon filling the vacant position.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. 
• Direct deposit of paychecks is required.

• Upon eligibility benefits to include:

  • Group Health Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Prescription, Flexible Spending, Long & Short-Term Disability Insurance, Group Universal Life Insurance, Securian Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Health Management Programs.
  • 21 paid vacation days, 15 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, up to 12 weeks paid Parental Leave.
  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to support services such as Professional Counseling Services, Legal Services, Financial Services.
  • Employer & Employee Funded Pension Plan as well as an Employee Funded Retirement Savings Plan available.
  • Student loan repayment assistance and forgiveness
• To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

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 is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.