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

Virginia Department of Social Services • Chesterfield, VA

11h • $65,416 - $76,864 • Onsite

About The Position

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights local Social Services agency. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency’s city or county website/job board(s).

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.

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, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

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

• Focusing on assessing child safety through home visits and 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.
• Performing other work as required.
• Responding to referrals alleging child abuse/neglect and providing ongoing services to families experiencing abuse/neglect in Chesterfield County and the City of Colonial Heights.

Benefits

• Attractive benefits package
• 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).
• 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.
• Credit towards the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

What This Job Offers

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