FAMILY SERVICE WORKER

$36,155 - $57,668/Yr

State of Arkansas - Harrisburg, AR

Full-time - Entry Level

Harrisburg, AR

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Family Service Worker is responsible for providing protective foster care and supportive services for abused or neglected children. This role involves investigating child abuse and neglect complaints, intervening in crisis situations, and developing case plans to support families in need. The position requires working non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and being on a 24-hour on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Investigates suspected child abuse and neglect complaints by making on-site visits and interviewing involved parties.
• Discusses investigative findings with supervisor and recommends opening protective services or foster care cases.
• Intervenes in crisis situations and arranges for temporary placement of children in foster homes or treatment facilities.
• Develops case plans with goals, objectives, and time frames for all parties involved.
• Provides counseling and guidance to clients and refers them to appropriate services or community resources.
• Recruits and trains families for foster care, conducts home studies, and assesses family situations for child placements.
• Documents case work activities and prepares court reports for custody hearings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field.
• Successful completion of a six-month training class within the agency core training period.
• Valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with children and families.
• Experience with community engagement or community resources.
• Public speaking skills.
• Computer experience and ability to learn new computer skills.
• Strong organizational skills.

Benefits

• Paid holidays
• Parental leave