Family Services Specialist - CPS

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Suffolk Department of Social Services is seeking a Family Services Specialist to perform counseling and case management across CPS, APS, and foster care units. The role supports adults and children in protective services and collaborates with Prevention and Foster Care teams.

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field (or equivalent with related experience). Preferred candidates hold a BSW/MSW and Virginia Social Worker licensure.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or Bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two years of related experience in a Human Services area as mandated by Virginia code.
• Preferred qualifications include a BSW or MSW and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license; Master’s in Human Services and related experience are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform counseling and case management in multiple social work service programs including protective services for adults and children and foster care.
• Coordinate and respond to walk-ins and telephone inquiries with information and referrals.
• Manage CPS/APS hotline and enter referrals into the system; provide short-term services addressing truancy issues.
• Receive referrals for services/family stabilization and coordinate with external resources.
• Conduct homeless shelter referrals and assessments and provide Fire and Emergency Assistance as needed.
• Maintain records and prepare required reports; participate in on-call CPS/APS duties and disaster shelter tasks.

Skills

Case management

Communication skills

Crisis counseling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree in any field with 2 years related Human Services experience

Job description

Hiring Range: $55368 to $66,751.00

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST

DEPARTMENT HIRING SALARY RANGE:$55,368 - $66,751 Depending on Experience/Education

This position is eligible for a sign on bonus dependent on education and experience.

JOB OPEN DATE:09/11/2026

JOB CLOSE DATE: 09/27/2026

JOB DUTIES:

Position primary designation is performing tasks within the Family Services CPS unit; however, position may also be assigned duties within various units of the Family Services Division, i.e., Prevention, CPS, APS, and Foster Care.Under general supervision, facilitates, coordinates, and provides counseling and case management in multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department including protective services for adults and children as well as foster care.

Has general knowledge of the policies and procedures of multiple benefit programs administered by the City of Suffolk Department of Social Services.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Respond to all walk-ins requesting information and referrals and telephone inquiries.

Manage the CPS/APS hotline to receive complaints and enter them into the OASIS system and PeerPlace.

Provide short term services for Learn Fare to address truancy issues with TANF recipients who are referred for noncompliance.

Receive referrals from CSA Coordinator, CPS, and Financial Services Workers for services/family stabilization.

Complete referrals on behalf of the clients to outside community resources for assistance

Complete Homeless shelter referrals and assessments.

Provide Fire and Emergency Assistance to clients in need.

Receive, manage and ensure appropriate distribution when handling clients for the Holiday assistance.

Position requires CPS/APS on-call responsibilities and disaster shelter duties in the event of local emergencies.

Tasks include screening clients and explaining multiple social work service programs, determining and pursuing necessary action to meet client needs, counseling clients, and providing or assisting in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance. Maintains various records and case files. Prepares requiredreports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• -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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• -Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Master'sdegreeintheHumanServicefieldplussomeworkexperiencein related human services field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• -Prefer working knowledge of Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services policies. Preferred candidates have completed required VDSS training for CPS and/or APS investigator trainings.
• -Prefer working knowledge of adult case management practices and experience managing caseloads involving the elderly and other vulnerable adult populations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

ApplicantsmaybesubjecttoaCriminal HistoryBackgroundsearch,Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:

Applicationsareacceptedonlineonlythroughthisposting. Thiswebsitewill provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application. Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Suffolk Department of Social Services - 135 Hall Avenue Suite B, Suffolk, VA 23434 or [e-mail]