Senior Family Services Specialist - CPS Investigations (Chesterfield-Colonial Heights)

Virginia Department of Social Services • Chesterfield, VA

5d

About The Position

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is hiring a
Senior Family Services Specialist for our CPS Investigations team to respond to
referrals alleging child abuse/neglect and provide ongoing services to families
experiencing abuse/neglect in Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial
Heights.

As a Senior Family Services Specialist for CPS Investigations, you will be
tasked with focusing on assessing child safety through home visits and
investigating allegations of abuse. You will need to build trust with families
to ask the necessary personal or difficult questions, with the goal of
empowering them to make positive changes in their lives. Your work is a crucial
link, helping families connect with essential community resources and services
that can provide long-term support. As a key part of the team, you'll be
responsible for staying current on a range of local, state, and federal
regulations that guide our work. Additionally, you will provide after-hours
on-call coverage on a rotating basis to ensure that children in crisis are
always protected. This position requires flexibility, as you may also be given
other assignments as the agency's needs evolve. Perform other work as required.

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 area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
• Considerable experience in assigned program area and completion of required training programs or equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Considerable knowledge of social work principles and practices, human behavior and motivational theory, laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas, investigating and interviewing techniques, legal procedures as related to program area, and social, economic, and health problems
• Current valid driver's license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date. Pre-employment drug testing and FBI criminal background check are required.
• A Chesterfield County application is also required and must be submitted online by the deadline.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
• Excellent organizational, time management, oral/written communication, interpersonal, and public relations skills preferred.
• Outstanding public speaking and presentation skills, especially for court interventions preferred.
• Ability to be assertive and confident – especially when being challenged preferred.
• Knowledge and ability to apply social work principles and Virginia policies in family services programs preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills during crisis situations preferred.
• Computer competency required; proficiency in OASIS and Safe Measures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assessing child safety through home visits
• Investigating allegations of abuse
• Building trust with families to ask the necessary personal or difficult questions, with the goal of empowering them to make positive changes in their lives
• Helping families connect with essential community resources and services that can provide long-term support
• Staying current on a range of local, state, and federal regulations that guide our work
• Providing after-hours on-call coverage on a rotating basis to ensure that children in crisis are always protected

Benefits

• Chesterfield County offers an attractive benefits package.
• As a local Department of Social Services, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services may offer incentives, approved through the Virginia Department of Social Services, to candidates hired who possess additional relevant training, skills and experience. Those incentives apply to individuals who possess: a Masters or Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Masters in Human Services, LCSW, Child Welfare Stipend participants, completion of COVLC new worker training or are Bilingual (Spanish & ASL).
• This position is part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications, and experience.
• Did you know that working for a local government provides credit towards the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)?

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior