Family Services Worker II

City of Norfolk, VA; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Employer-paid pension

Life insurance

Job summary

City of Norfolk seeks a Family Services Worker II to conduct home studies, assess family needs, and provide protective and supportive services for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. You will investigate abuse/neglect, manage CPS and Family Support cases, and develop tailored service plans.

Strong writing and collaboration skills are essential. Essential duties include court testimony, case management, and liaison with law enforcement and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or equivalent plus 2 years of related experience.
• BSW or MSW degree desirable.
• Virginia Social Worker license desirable; may require driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Investigates referrals of abuse/neglect and assess safety.
• Maintain caseload with timely interviews and documentation.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and community partners.
• Prepare court documents and provide testimony when needed.
• Maintain and track case files using OASIS/local software.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Writing skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Human Services

BSW/MSW desirable

Tools

OASIS

Local software

Job description

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) connects eligible citizens to federal, state and local resources for food, healthcare, childcare, cash assistance, workforce development, and energy and utility assistance. Some of the services we provide are Adult Protective Services, Services for at-risk youth and their families, Adoption and Foster Care, Resources for homeless families and individuals in Norfolk, college internships, Senior and Veterans assistance, and more.

The DHS is seeking a Family Services Worker II to conduct home studies, assess family needs, and provide protective and supportive services for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. This position investigates reports of abuse and neglect, provides case management for Child Protective Services (CPS) and Family Support, and develops service plans tailored to family and individual needs. Responsibilities include maintaining thorough documentation in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.

Key Duties Include

• Investigate validated referrals of abuse and neglect, assessing ongoing safety and risk factors.
• Manage a caseload to ensure timely interviews, documentation, and safe placement options when needed.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and complete background checks as required.
• Prepare affidavits, appear in court, and provide testimony for civil and criminal matters.
• Research and identify appropriate placement options.
• Ensure all documents are scanned and uploaded to the electronic case file.
• Participate in a rotating schedule to respond to CPS hotline calls after hours.

Department Hiring Salary

$56,900- $65,294

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

• Investigates referrals of suspected child abuse/neglect.
• Conducts field visits to schools, homes, hospitals, and various community settings.
• Works in collaboration with law enforcement, licensing, and a variety of community partners to investigate/assess child abuse/neglect allegations.
• Determines clients’ needs based on interviews and plans appropriate course of action.
• Advises and arranges protection for clients faced with emotional, physical, and environmental stress.
• Refers high and very high-risk families with a history of sexual abuse, chronic abuse/neglect, domestic violence for case management services,
• Must have the ability to be part of a multi-disciplinary team believing that the best solutions come from the families themselves.
• Takes part in family team meetings to assure family empowerment, family involvement and ownership in the service planning process working through to solutions.
• Counsels clients to advise them of services available.
• Formulates a variety of court documents,
• Appears in court to advise, recommend, and testify concerning cases,
• Requires knowledge of social work principals and ethics with particular attention to respect and appreciation for family competencies.
• Must have good writing skills.
• Maintains case files and prepares reports as required including OASIS and other local software programs.
• Requires the ability to work collaboratively with community-based agencies, police department and health care providers and court personnel so that the team works as one in the best interest of the family’s needs and wants.
• Provides crisis intervention when necessary.
• Requires strong facilitation skills.

Education/Experience

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field and minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Two (2) years' experience in social services.

Minimum 1-year Prior CPS Experience Preferred.

Additional Information & Requirements

• Valid Driver's License may be required depending on assignment.
• Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 signing bonus for new hires.
• Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
• Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending on funding and authorization.
• Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
• Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre‑tax payroll deduction.

• The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self‑development and education. Permanent full‑time and permanent part‑time classified, unclassified permanent, full‑time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

Note

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01 The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

02 Do you have the legal right to work in the United States and, upon employment, can you provide documentation to verify this?

03 Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

04 If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title, and your relationship to the employee. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A.".

05 Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

06 Is your degree in a human services field or related field? (i.e. Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, etc.)

• Yes
• No

07 How many years of experience do you have working in Child Protective Services?

• No Experience
• Less than 2 years' experience
• 2 - 3 years of experience
• 4-5 years of experience
• 6 or more years of experience

08 Please describe your philosophy regarding public child welfare practice.

09 Please identify three social work principals and how the principals guide your interaction with clients.

10 How many years of direct work experience do you have in assisting families in crisis?

• No experience
• Less than 2 years of experience
• 2-3 years of experience
• 4-5 years of experience
• More than 6 years of experience

11 Do you have any investigative experience?

• Yes
• No

12 If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe your investigatory experience? If you answered "No" then type "NA".

13 Please describe your experience working in a team environment.

14 In your own words, describe a family-centered approach to social work in public child welfare settings.

15 Do you have case management experience?

• Yes
• No

16 If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, then describe your case management experience. If you answered "No" then type "NA".

17 Do you have any professional conflict resolution/crisis intervention experience?

• Yes
• No

18 Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

19 Please provide the name, email address, and phone number of your current or most recent supervisor

20 Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.

21 Are you a qualified military spouse? (An individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being a spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces)

22 Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

• I am not a Veteran
• I am a Veteran
• I am a Disabled Veteran
• Required Question