Family Services Specialist I
City of Chesapeake Virginia
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Chesapeake Virginia is seeking a Family Services Specialist I to provide professional social work services within the In-Home Prevention Services program. You will partner with families, children, and community providers to promote safety, permanency, and well-being while maintaining child safety and appropriate parental relationships.
The role emphasizes family-centered, safety-focused approaches, service plan development, and coordination with schools and healthcare providers.
Qualifications
- Experience writing court documents such as court reports and affidavits.
- Experience interviewing individuals to obtain detailed information for written documents.
- Willing to work Emergency Duty shifts as assigned.
Responsibilities
- Engage families and support systems in assessment, case planning, and decision-making.
- Assess child safety, family functioning, risks, strengths, and protective capacities.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized service and safety plans.
- Coordinate services with community providers, schools, healthcare organizations, and other partners.
- Conduct home visits, interviews, field contacts, and other required case activities.
- Monitor progress, reassess needs, and adjust services as circumstances change.
- Provide case management, counseling, education, referrals, advocacy, and supportive services.
- Respond to crisis situations and address identified safety and family needs.
- Maintain confidential case records and required documentation.
- Participate in case consultations, team meetings, staffing, court proceedings, and reviews.
- Maintain current knowledge through required training and professional development.
- Rotate through CPS, foster care, and adoption service areas.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Skills
Education
Job description
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.
Full Time
Public
1
HUMAN SVCS
HS-SS FAMILY SERVICES
2026404
40
8 am – 5 pm; Monday – Friday Schedule varies depending on operational needs Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
Chesapeake, VA (100 Outlaw Street)
R - Routine
GE11
Semi-Monthly
$55,854 / annually Actual starting salary based on qualifications and experience
The Family Services Specialist I provides professional social work services to children and families through the Department of Human Services’ In-Home Prevention Services program. The position partners with families, children, relatives, community providers, and other support systems to promote child safety, permanency, and well-being while supporting children safely within their homes and communities whenever possible.
The position uses a family-centered, safety-focused, and collaborative approach to assess family strengths, needs, risks, and protective capacities; develop and monitor individualized service plans; coordinate services; and support meaningful, sustainable outcomes.
The position may serve children living with parents or caregivers, temporarily with relatives or kin, or long-term with relatives or kin while maintaining appropriate parental relationships and visitation.
- Engage families and support systems in assessment, case planning, and decision-making.
- Assess child safety, family functioning, risks, strengths, and protective capacities.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized, behavior-based service and safety plans.
- Coordinate services with community providers, schools, healthcare organizations, and other partners.
- Conduct home visits, interviews, field contacts, and other required case activities.
- Monitor progress, reassess needs, and adjust services as circumstances change.
- Provide case management, counseling, education, referrals, advocacy, and supportive services.
- Respond to crisis situations and address identified safety and family needs.
- Maintain accurate case records, assessments, reports, correspondence, and required documentation.
- Participate in case consultations, team meetings, staffing, court proceedings, and administrative reviews.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
- Establish effective working relationships with families, coworkers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
- Maintain current knowledge and skills through required training and professional development.
- Conduct training for service providers and participate in provider certification and recertification activities, as assigned.
- Rotate through service areas such as CPS, foster care, and adoption.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
The position requires balancing child safety with family preservation, recognizing that family preservation must never compromise child safety. Decisions are based on each child and family’s circumstances and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Browse Benefits Brochure for a full list of benefits and employee perks.
VOCATIONAL / EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT :
In order to be evaluated for vacancies in the Family Services Specialist job series, applicants shall possess the qualifications outlined in (1) OR (2) below:
1) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the human services field, including Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Counselor Education, Human Services, Sociology, Family and Child Development, Aging Studies, Gerontology, Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies, or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content.
2) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience in a human services-related area. To be considered for promotion, persons currently employed in the Family Services Specialist job series by a local department prior to January 1, 1999, who do not meet the qualifications outlined in either (1) or (2) above, must possess four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all available competency-based training related to the promotional area.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES :
Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :
Emergency Duty (On-Call) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.2-1503,B; Section 63.2-900; and 63.2-1604-63.2-1610, Code of Virginia. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies.
- Experience writing court documents such as court reports, Emergency Removal and Protective Order affidavits.
- Experience interviewing individuals to obtain detailed information and then produce a written document that accurately explains information obtained during the interview in a detailed and easily understood manner.
- Willing to work Emergency Duty shifts as assigned.
- Currently work for Virginia Department of Social Services ( VDSS ).
- Prior VDSS experience in Child Welfare.
- 6 months experience in Child Welfare.
- Experience or knowledge of OASIS and/or Peer Place.
- Strong typing/data entry skills and also be able to follow 24 hour case documentation requirements.
09/28/2026
10/11/2026
No
Drug Screening: MARIJUANA
In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.
Overall Physical Strength Demands S=Sedentary - Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or small weights frequently; sitting most of the time.
Physical Demands C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.
Standing Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Walking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Lifting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs
Carrying Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs
Pushing/Pulling Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs
Reaching Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Handling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Fine Dexterity Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Kneeling Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Crouching Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Crawling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Bending Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Twisting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Climbing Frequently- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Balancing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.
Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Talking Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Foot Controls Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used Computer, copier, fax, telephone, scanner, adding machine, calculator, printer, car and related equipment.
Protective Equipment Required N/A
Health and Safety D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never
Mechanical Hazards N = Never
Chemical Hazards N = Never
Electrical Hazards S = Seasonally
Fire Hazards S = Seasonally
Explosives S = Seasonally
Communicable Diseases S = Seasonally
Physical Danger or Abuse S = Seasonally
Other If Other, Description D = DailyW = Several Times Per WeekM = Several Times Per MonthS = SeasonallyN = Never
Dirt and Dust D = Daily
Extreme Temperatures D = Daily
Noise and Vibration D = Daily
Fumes and Odors D = Daily
Wetness/Humidity D = Daily
Darkness or Poor Lighting D = Daily
Primary Work Location Non-Physical Demands C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week.N = Never- Never occurs.
Time Pressures Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Emergency Situations Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time.
Frequent Change of Tasks Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time.
Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Tedious or Exacting Work Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Noisy/Distracting Environment Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time.
Other If Other, Description
Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s) No
Please provide contact information for professional references.
Minimum Requests 0
Maximum Requests 4
- * Emergency Duty (On-Call) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.2-1503,B; Section 63.2-900; and 63.2-1604-63.2-1610, Code of Virginia. Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Will you be able to meet this requirement?
- Yes
- No
- * In order to be evaluated for vacancies in the Family Services Specialist job series, applicants shall possess the qualifications outlined in (1) OR (2) below:1) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in the human services field, including Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, Counselor Education, Human Services, Sociology, Family and Child Development, Aging Studies, Gerontology, Criminal Justice with a minor in one of the above studies, or other related degrees determined by the Department of Human Resources based on the similarity of the curriculum and course content.2) A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two years of appropriate and related, full-time equivalent experience in a human services related area.To be considered for promotion, persons currently employed in the Family Services Specialist job series by a local department prior to January 1, 1999, who do not meet the qualifications outlined in either (1) or (2) above, must possess four years of appropriate and related experience in a human services area and must have successfully completed all available competency-based training related to the promotional area.Do you currently meet the aforementioned requirements?
- Yes
- No
- * Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review link in posting for details.
- Yes
- No
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