Family Services Specialist - CPS

Customer Experience: It's Our Business, It's Our Passion.

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is hiring a Family Services Specialist – CPS to support staff who respond to referrals alleging child abuse/neglect in Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights.

What You Do and How You Do it:

You will make home visits to follow-up regarding the safety of children and monitor compliance with staff recommendations.  You will work with staff who will investigate allegations by asking families personal or difficult questions on how the children are being raised.  But it doesn’t stop there.  You will engage and empower families to make positive changes.   You will learn local, state and federal regulations, and stay up to date as things change.  You’ll help customers connect with community resources to receive the services they need. Perform other work as required.

Here's What You Need:

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). 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. 

Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check, CPS registry check and education/degree verification required. 

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. 

We’re Looking for Ideal Candidates Who Have:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to include the ability to interact with a diverse population
• Outstanding public speaking and presentation skills, especially for court interventions
• Strong engagement, assessment, and interviewing skills
• Assertive and confident – especially when being challenged
• Strong organization, time management and computer skills
• Ability to deal effectively with conflict
• Good personal boundaries 
• Strong team player
• A real commitment to the safety of children and to Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services

Chesterfield County offers an attractive benefits package and incentives for candidates with a master's degree in social work and bilingual (Spanish & ASL) abilities.

Did you know that working for a local government provides credit towards the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)?

This position is a 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.

Real Talk

We’ll be honest—this is intense. You may have contact with hostile families and children and home visits may be in less than adequate living conditions.  Your emotions will range from the fear of what will happen on your very first home visit to profound sadness for severely traumatized or injured children.  You will support staff removing a child who doesn’t understand he’s in danger and may not want to leave.  It’s a stressful job with critical outcomes.  You must be flexible while prioritizing your daily activities.  No day is the same.  But you have the power to create positive change and have a direct impact on the life of a child and their family that lasts a lifetime.  If you are committed to making a real difference in the lives of others, we want you on our team.

This position is required to serve on an emergency shelter team during times of natural disaster.

Salary : $55,278 - $64,952