Family Services Specialist I

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 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.