Family Services Specialist II - CPS

City of Portsmouth•Portsmouth, VA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Family Services Specialist II performs professional work protecting and caring for children who need services, resources, referrals, or treatment. The position is assigned to the Child Protective Services unit and reports to the Family Services Supervisor. The role provides case management, investigates suspected child abuse and neglect, assesses children’s and families’ needs and safety, and coordinates services and referrals. It includes responding to reports and emergencies, conducting home visits and interviews, arranging medical examinations, and representing the agency in civil and criminal court proceedings. The specialist works with families, law enforcement, courts, schools, treatment programs, and community partners, and maintains required records and reports within VDSS timeframes. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and qualifying experience, completion of mandatory state child protective services training, an acceptable background check, and a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. The specialist must work on-call on a 24-hour rotational basis and be able to travel and transport children. This is a non-exempt position, Pay Grade 22.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and 1–2 years of crisis intervention, social work, or case management experience; or a bachelor’s degree in any field and 2–3 years of case work, crisis intervention, or social work experience.
Complete mandatory child protective services state training.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Acceptable general background check, including local, state, and federal criminal history and sex offender registry checks.
Must not be listed as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint.
Ability to work on-call on a 24-hour rotational basis.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to child protective services.
Ability to maintain accurate participant records and prepare reports; communicate effectively in writing and orally, including speaking before groups.
Ability to handle confidential files with discretion and interact tactfully and effectively with clients, coworkers, professionals, and the public.
Ability to plan and organize work, exercise analytical judgment, evaluate complex information, and meet deadlines.
Ability to operate office equipment and a motor vehicle.
Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move children or objects.
Ability to walk, drive, or stand for periods of time and to perform under stress, including when interacting with people under stress or influenced by substances.
Ability to read and prepare reports, forms, and correspondence using prescribed formats and standard grammar and punctuation.
Ability to use basic mathematical operations, decimals, and percentages.

Responsibilities

Plan and coordinate services for individuals and families; interview clients, identify barriers, assess needs, and develop and implement service plans focused on child safety.
Monitor client progress and complete required paperwork within VDSS-established timeframes.
Initiate or approve credit authorizations and purchase orders for client needs and services, and maintain financial records.
Investigate suspected child abuse and neglect, evaluate high-risk situations, and take appropriate measures to ensure children’s safety.
Determine appropriate actions, complete state-mandated notifications, arrange medical examinations, and assess family history, strengths, mental capacity, physical development, and reported abuse incidents.
Exercise emergency removal authority and interview and examine clients for possible injuries or life-threatening situations.
Represent the agency in civil and criminal court proceedings; initiate court petitions, prepare written reports, attend hearings, and testify as necessary.
Answer the hotline and record reports of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in the VDSS system.
Travel and transport children; conduct home visits, counsel clients, and advocate for their rights.
Coordinate with local law enforcement as necessary.
Plan and attend meetings and work with courts, public schools, treatment programs, and other community partners.
Provide agency information and resources to the community, and facilitate or assist with agency groups.
Maintain accurate records, prepare reports, communicate effectively, and meet assigned deadlines.
Work on-call on a 24-hour rotational basis to respond to emergencies and routine situations.
Perform other duties as assigned; specific assignments are determined by the supervisor based on workload and department needs.