Family Services Specialist I

Virginia Department of Social Services; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chesapeake County local Social Services agency is seeking a Family Services Specialist to engage families in assessment, plan development, and coordinated service delivery while prioritizing child safety and family preservation.

Responsibilities include home visits, documentation, court reports, and collaboration with schools, healthcare providers, and community partners to support vulnerable children and families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field required.
• Or a bachelor’s plus two years related experience.
• Promotion candidates must have four years related experience per city rules.
• Must have valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Responsibilities

• Engage families in assessment, case planning, and decision-making.
• Assess child safety, family functioning, risks, and strengths.
• Develop and monitor individualized service and safety plans.
• Coordinate services with community providers, schools, and healthcare.
• Conduct home visits and required case activities.
• Maintain accurate case records and documentation.
• Participate in case consultations, team meetings, and court proceedings.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to laws and professional standards.
• Rotate through CPS, foster care, and adoption service areas.

Skills

Communication

Interviewing

Caseload management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field

Two years related experience in human services

Tools

OASIS

Peer Place

Job description

This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Chesapeake County local Social Services agency. It is not a position of the Virginia Department of Social Services or any other Commonwealth of Virginia agency. Local employment opportunities may also be available through the local agency’s city or county website/job board(s). https://jobs.cityofchesapeake.net/postings/17969

Key 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, 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. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.
• Excellent customer service skills.