Family Services Specialist I

Job Duties:

A $2,500 hiring bonus is being offered for this position. Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0.

• $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
• $750 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
• $1,250 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services (VBDHS) seeks a Child Protective Services (CPS) Family Services Specialist I (FSSI) that, under the supervision of a Human Services Supervisor can investigate and assess alleged child maltreatment. The Family Services Specialist I must have the knowledge, skills, and family engagement skills that will allow them to engage with children and families, investigate and assess allegations of child abuse/neglect. FSSI’s must be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team facilitating a team approach with police, medical, social work, and mental health professionals.

Duties:

• Manage a high-volume workload of CPS referrals as described above, and demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions based on knowledge of policies and procedures. Must be able to document detailed, and accurate investigative narrative, dispositional assessments, safety assessments, and risk assessments.
• Engage children and families to maximize information gathering and to build trust to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to ensure child safety.
• Utilize trauma informed strategies to overcome challenges and build upon family strengths.
• Spend time in the community visiting client’s homes, schools, court, and collateral visits that are pertinent to each family’s referral.
• Conduct safety and risk assessments on an ongoing basis with each assigned referral.
• Review assigned referrals with their immediate supervisor, or designee.
• Take appropriate actions to ensure that children are separated from unsafe situations by utilizing natural supports in the family and community and at last resort recommending placement in foster care.
• Writing court affidavits and petitioning the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court for child protective orders and or emergency removal orders.
• Organize and participate in Family Partnership Meetings and varieties of team meetings designed to support and engage families.
• Receive and screen new allegations of child abuse/neglect. Make appropriate validity decisions and make plans for immediate response to new CPS referrals.
• Ensure that all referral interviews and interactions are documented within 24 hours.
• Responsible for assisting with training and professional development of Family Services Specialist I and new FSSII team members assigned to Safety Programs.
• Work in collaboration with police, mental health professionals, emergency medical services partners with triaging families and conducting investigations.
• Standby on-call duties after normal business hours on a rotating basis.

Minimum Requirements:

MINIMUMS: 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, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements. 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.

Additional Requirements:
DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Required
Physical: Not Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required
Attachments Required: Resume.

Preferences:

MSW or equivalent
CPS experience
Crisis intervention experience
Court testifying experience
Family engagement experience
Case documentation experience
BSW or equivalent

• Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
• Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
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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.