FAMILY SERVICE WORKER

$36,155 - $52,425/Yr

State of Arkansas - Clarksville, AR

Full-time - Entry Level

Clarksville, AR

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Family Service Worker (FSW) plays a crucial role in providing protective foster care and supportive services for abused or neglected children. This position involves investigating child abuse and neglect complaints, intervening in crisis situations, and developing case plans to support families in need. The FSW is expected to work non-standard hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, and be on a 24-hour on-call rotation. The role requires extensive in-state travel and the ability to handle complex and stressful situations while working with vulnerable populations.

Responsibilities

• Investigate suspected child abuse and neglect complaints by making on-site visits and interviewing involved parties.
• Discuss investigative findings with supervisors and recommend protective services or foster care cases.
• Intervene in crisis situations and arrange for temporary placements in foster homes or treatment facilities.
• Develop case plans with goals, objectives, tasks, and time frames for all parties involved.
• Provide counseling and guidance to clients, referring them to appropriate services and community resources.
• Recruit and train families, conduct home studies, and assess family situations for child placements.
• Monitor client and foster parent progress towards case objectives through regular visits.
• Document all case work activities and prepare 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's core training period.
• Ability to evaluate family problems and develop action plans.
• Knowledge of counseling, social work, and case management principles.
• Ability to interview and obtain information effectively.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with children and families.
• Experience with community engagement or resources.
• Public speaking skills.
• Computer experience.
• Strong organizational skills.

Benefits

• Pension plan
• Maternity leave
• Paid state holidays
• Health insurance
• Paid time off