Senior Family Services Specialist - CPS Investigations

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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.

What You Do and How You Do It:
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.

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

We’re Looking for Ideal Candidates Who Have:

• 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.

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. A Chesterfield County application is also required and must be submitted online by the deadline.

This position is considered Critical Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The use of medical marijuana for this position is prohibited.

This position is part of an Emergency Shelter Team during times of natural disaster, reporting to shelter duty as required.

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)?

Realistic Job Preview
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. Removing a child who doesn't understand he's in danger and doesn't want to leave is tough. It's a stressful job with critical outcomes. So, you must be committed to your client - the children. Your time won't be your own if you're good at what you do. You must drop your plans to ensure a child's safety whenever you're called. 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. When a child sees you years later after becoming a well-adjusted adult and thanks you, you realize you may have saved a life - and you're eager to handle your next case. Being a family services specialist isn't for everyone, but if you are committed to making a real difference in the lives of others and are looking for a career rather than a job, we want you on our team.

Visit careers.chesterfield.gov to view instructions and to complete and submit an application.