Family Services Specialist (CPS Investigations)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Roanoke, VA

22d

About The Position

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Family Services Specialist within the Child Protective Services Investigations division. This Family Services Specialist will assess and investigate allegations of child abuse and/or neglect while providing needed services to at risk families and children. Works closely with various ancillary agencies to enforce child protective services laws and provide required/requested services to families in need. Plans and coordinates needed services for individuals and families while making appropriate referrals to other agencies as necessary. Prepares court affidavits/reports and testify as needed. Maintains CPS caseload while completing routine paperwork in time frames required by Virginia State Code. Ability to multi-task and respond to crisis situations in a timely and professional manner. Acts as a team player willing to assist co-workers and able to work outside the normal range of hours when necessary. Participates in a rotating after hours beeper team that responds to emergency CPS/APS/Foster Care situations. NOTE: If you do not hold a State of Virginia Drivers License, you will be required to provide a certified copy of a DMV report from the state of previous residence before you can be considered for this position. The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer. To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community. This is a non-exempt position.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as laws, policies, regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Possession of a valid appropriate driver's permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
If you do not have a Drivers License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, you must submit a certified copy of your driving record issued by the DMV from your previous state of residence with your application.
Requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work.
Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or work station.
Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.
Must be willing to work outside normal work hours and respond to both routine and emergency situations.
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals.
Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Supports and assists agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs.
Interviews clients to assess the nature and extent of needs
Identifies problems, counsels with clients and confers with supervisor in preparing social studies in the formulation and delivery of service plans
Maintains records through the course of client's service relationships with agency
Makes referrals for service to agencies, such as clinics, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc
Performs work with agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts, circuit courts, etc
Provides protection and care to abandoned, abused and neglected children and adults on a regular and emergency basis in potentially dangerous situations
Works with abusive or neglecting parents and families to help effect changes in family situation, usually in a family home setting
Makes decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and recommendations regarding institutionalization of adults and children
Studies homes for day care, foster care of adoption placement and/or foster care and adoptive placements
Maintains case records, prepares written reports of services, findings and actions
Serves as agency representative on a variety of multi disciplinary teams
Shares a 24-hour on-call rotation