Social Services Specialist 3

Salary: $54,812.25 Annually

Location : Franklin Co., GA

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 2025-71287

Division/Office: County DFCS - Region 2

Unit: Franklin Co. DFCS

Opening Date: 09/24/2024

Closing Date: 10/24/2024 11:59 PM Eastern

Description 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 Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) is seeking candidates for the positions of Social Services Specialist 3. This position is located at the DFCS office in Lavonia, Franklin County, Georgia. Franklin County | Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Family & Children Services JOIN OUR TEAM!!! Job Description

Pay Grade: I

Under general supervision, the Social Services Specialist 3 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.
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. Minimum QualificationsMaster's degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university. ORMaster's degree in any behavioral science from an accredited college or university AND One (1) year case management experience. ORBachelor of Social Work degree from an accredited college or university AND One (1) year case management experience. ORBachelor's degree in any behavioral science AND Two (2) years case management experience. OROne (1) year of experience at lower level Social Svcs Spec 2 (SSP071) or position equivalent.
Note: Behavioral Science degrees include but are not limited to the following: social science, psychology, sociology, child development, family studies, criminal justice, education, public health, public administration, and nursing. Must have reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, a valid state-issued driver's license, and an acceptable driving history record. Additional Information For more detailed information about the Georgia Department Human Services https://dhs.georgia.gov/ Employment InformationCurrent State employees are subject to State Personnel Board (SPB) Rules regarding salary.

DHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to:

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening, education verification, reference, motor vehicle records, and criminal background checks.

DHS accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DHS will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.

As an employee of DHS, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring official for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

In addition to a competitive salary, DHS offers a generous benefits package, which includes employee retirement plan; paid holidays annually; vacation and sick leave; health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, health and child care spending account. Visit for more information.

Insurance

Health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, healthcare and childcare spending accounts, and life insurance plans are available.

Health Benefits: 1-800-610-1863

Flexible Benefits: 1-877-342-7339

Retirement

State employees participate in the Employee's Retirement System. Contributions are based on a percentage of salary and service date entry

Employee Retirement System: 1-800-805-4609

Deferred Compensation

Tax shelter plans are available that enable employees to provide for greater retirement security. Fund programs are available in both 457(k) and 401(k) plans.

Peach State Reserves: 1-877-342-7339

Credit Union

Employees are eligible to become members of the and

01

Are you aware this position is in Franklin County, Georgia?Franklin County is more than ninety (90) miles from downtown Atlanta. Yes No

02

What is your highest level of education completed? Doctorate Degree Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree None of the Above

03

How many years' of case management experience do you have in Child Welfare, Foster Care, adoptions or other social service programs? None Less than 1 Year 1+ Years 2 or more Years

04

Do you have one (1) year as a Social Services Specialist 2? This experience must be shown on the application. Yes No

05

How proficient are you in Microsoft Office Suite? None Beginner Intermediate Advanced Expert

06

Are you aware this position requires working frequent overtime, on-call, evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays Yes No

07

Do you have ALL of the following: Possession of a valid driver's license, access to a reliable automobile, and proof of automobile insurance for required work-related travel? Yes No

Required Question