CPS In-Home Services Senior Specialist

Loudoun County Government•Leesburg, VA

About The Position

Loudoun County Department of Family Services is seeking an experienced professional to join its Child Protective Services In-Home Services team. The team includes a CPS Supervisor, a Senior Family Services Specialist serving as Senior Worker and team lead, and six Family Services Specialists. The Senior Worker provides technical guidance, mentoring, training, and support to Family Services Specialists, and supervision and support to interns. The role is part of a team responding to children and families who need significant support and intervention. The Senior Family Services Specialist conducts comprehensive assessments of children and families, including interviews with children, parents, guardians, and collateral contacts to assess safety, risk, strengths, and needs using trauma-informed and strengths-based practices. The position develops and implements individualized safety and service plans to promote child safety, stability, and well-being, while complying with applicable laws, policies, procedures, and regulations and maintaining accurate, complete, and timely documentation. The role requires responding to critical situations, providing crisis intervention, and implementing services that support the safety and well-being of children and youth. The position also helps foster professional growth, productivity, collaboration, and teamwork among staff. The successful candidate must be adaptable, exercise sound judgment, and respond to changing goals, priorities, and community needs. Clinical supervision is available to eligible employees upon hire.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Three years of directly related experience in a human services area.
Knowledge of social services systems and human services programs serving children, families, and adults, including trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
Knowledge of casework practices and applicable child welfare laws, regulations, and policies.
Skill in assessing safety, risk, and service needs; developing service plans; and providing case management and crisis intervention.
Ability to lead, mentor, and coach staff while promoting a collaborative and supportive team environment.
Strong communication and relationship-building skills with clients, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Ability to manage competing priorities and exercise sound professional judgment in complex or critical situations.
Pass pre-employment criminal, fingerprinting, credit, CPS/APS, and DMV background checks.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record; driving records may be reviewed annually for continued qualification.
Obtain CPR certification if required for the assigned position.
Obtain specific training, such as CPS/Foster Care/APS state training, as required or desired for the assigned area.

Nice To Haves

Major coursework in a human services field.
Bilingual skills in Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Family Services Specialists on program policies, procedures, and best practices.
Serve as supervisor when the supervisor is absent.
Conduct comprehensive, in-depth client assessments with minimal oversight, identifying strengths, risks, needs, and available supports.
Develop individualized service plans and provide clinical case management, case oversight, and therapeutic interventions to help clients achieve or maintain the highest possible level of independence and well-being.
Accurately and promptly document client service histories in appropriate state and local case management systems, including opening, updating, and closing records.
Provide courteous, professional, and timely customer service to County staff, vendors, citizens, and visitors.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community resources and partner agencies to support program goals and meet the needs of children and families.
Identify opportunities to use community-based resources and services to provide additional assistance and support.
Collaborate with medical providers, law enforcement, federal law enforcement, school systems, and other community professionals to promote and ensure child safety.
Complete special projects and assignments independently or as part of a team.
Perform other essential duties and functions as assigned based on the needs of the position and department.