Master Family Service Specialist

Recruitment #090822-MDDQ03-351400

Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

The Master Family Services Specialist conducts assessments, develops and implements service plans designed to meet the personal, social, health and financial needs of caregivers and clients.  This position is designed to assist elderly adults and adults with physical/mental disabilities that are impaired, incapacitated, and vulnerable and at risk of harm to live in a safe environment.  The goal is to protect them from abuse, neglect and exploitation by responding to critical or emergency situations and ensuring a prompt and appropriate response which minimizes client risk by investigating physical abuse, neglect and/or exploitation.

Essential Functions

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.
     
  • Determines 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.

Job Requirements

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

 

  1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
  2. Two years experience working with abused, neglected, exploited or economically disadvantaged clients involving dependency, anti-social behavior, or family dysfunction.
  3. Two years experience interviewing clients and their families to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
  4. Two years experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
  5. Two years experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures related to the protection of the health, safety welfare or rights of clients.
  6. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Additional Posting Information

Due to a new requirement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) the following mandate is effective January 27, 2022: As a condition of employment, employees providing health care services and/or support services in covered facilities must show proof that they have received the dose of a single J&J dose or the 1st dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine effective date January 27, 2022, and proof of the single J&J dose or the 2nd dose of Moderna/Pfizer two-dose vaccine by February. 28, 2022. Employees may not provide any care, treatment, or other services until proof is provided.  Based on CMS guidance, the date for compliance may extend into March due to the health care facilities high vaccination rate of staff.  If you accept a position with the facility, your Human Resources representative can provide more guidance.  The only exception to these requirements is for those employees granted medical or religious exemptions from the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which may require weekly COVID-19 testing. This will be in effect until further notice.  More information can be found here.

Conditions of Hire

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 that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

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 StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

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.