Family Services Specialist I

Job Posting End Date:

November 5, 2026

Department:

HUMAN SERVICES

Compensation Grade:

G23

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range: $55,494.40 - $80,995.20

Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

The Virginia Beach Department of Human Services (VBDHS) seeks a social work professional, that under the supervision of a Human Services Supervisor, will be responsible for providing case management services for children and families that have or have been involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations or family assessments.

And here's the exciting part - the selected candidate will qualify for a $3,000 hiring bonus!**

Duties:

• Provide case management services for families that have complex challenges.
• Facilitate team meetings to build a positive rapport with the children and families being served.
• Refer clients to Family Assessment & Planning Teams.
• Engage with children and families to ensure that specific needs are addressed.
• Conduct initial and continuous assessments of foster homes and foster parents and engage clients in the community in a variety of settings to include family homes, schools, and hospitals.
• Document client contacts and interaction in a variety of digital case management applications.
• Consult with supervisory team members and city attorneys regarding the safety, wellbeing, and permanency of children.
• Assess child safety and risk utilizing a variety of structured decision-making tools, interviews, and observations.
• Respond to allegations of child abuse/neglect in the community after normal business hours.
• Prepare strengths-based service and action plans in partnership with families and community partners.
• Attend pertinent court hearings, prepare court documents, and testify in court hearings.
• Standby-on-call CPS responsibilities after normal business hours on a rotating basis.
• Prepare after care plans in partnership with families.
• Present family cases before the Family Assessment & Planning Team (FAPT).

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and paid leave programs.

**Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original full-time employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0.

• $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
• $1,000 will be awarded upon completing the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
• $1,500 will be awarded upon completing the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations".

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess a minimum of a Bachelors degree in a human services field (social work, counseling, gerontology, guidance and counseling, family and child development, psychology, or sociology); or possess a Bachelors degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two (2) years related experience in a human services area. Must have a current and valid driver’s license. Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. For Family Mediation Unit: Virginia Supreme Court Certification in Family Mediation required.

Skills:

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P10909.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.