Family Services Specialist - CPS

Virginia-Department-of-Social-Service; 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 coordinate counseling and case management within the CPS unit and related divisions, supporting protective services for children and adults and foster care.

Under supervision, you will manage referrals, provide short-term services, maintain records, and prepare reports while collaborating with community resources. On-call and disaster shelter duties may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or 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.
• Possession of a BSW or MSW and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Master’s degree in the Human Service field plus some work experience; or equivalent combination.
• Preferred knowledge of CPS/APS policies and VDSS trainings.

Responsibilities

• Facilitates, coordinates, and provides counseling and case management in social work programs including protective services for adults and children and foster care.
• Performs duties within CPS unit and may be assigned duties in Prevention, CPS, APS, and Foster Care units.
• Screens clients, explains programs, determines actions to meet client needs, counsels clients, and assists in obtaining access to needed human services.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

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

Job description

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.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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