Senior Family Services Specialist - CPS In-Home

Senior Family Services Specialist – Child Protective Services (CPS) In-Home

The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services is hiring a Senior Family Services Specialist – Child Protective Services (CPS) In-Home staff who will be responsible for the case management of In-Home and Family Support case types that are transferred from CPS Investigations and Family Assessment for continued monitoring for families experiencing abuse/neglect, provide prevention services to family and respond to referrals alleging child abuse/neglect in Chesterfield County and City of Colonial Heights.

As a Senior Family Services Specialist – Child Protective Services (CPS) In-Home staff member, you play a critical role in promoting child safety, strengthening family functioning, and preventing future harm. In this position, you work directly with children and families who have experienced abuse or neglect, ensuring that immediate safety concerns are addressed while also supporting long-term stability.

You conduct home and community visits to assess family needs, identify risk and protective factors, and develop individualized plans that connect families with appropriate services and resources. Through ongoing monitoring, coaching, and coordination with service providers, you help ensure families are following agency recommendations and making measurable progress.

A key part of your work involves building collaborative, respectful relationships with caregivers and children. You work alongside them to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the children are being cared for, how the household functions day-to-day, and what factors may be influencing their overall safety and well-being.

Beyond assessment, you focus on empowerment. You guide families through meaningful change by promoting strengths, reinforcing healthy parenting practices, and supporting the development of skills needed for long-term success. Your efforts help families create safer, more stable environments where children can thrive. Perform other duties as required.

Here's what you need:

• 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 (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia).
• Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

We're looking for ideal candidates who have:

• Considerable experience in assigned program area/human services programs preferred.
• Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.
• Child welfare experience in Virginia public social services preferred.
• Experience compiling reports, correspondence, data and narrative of case management and grant proposals preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices preferred.
• Excellent organizational, time management, oral/written communication, interpersonal, public relations and supervisory skills required.
• Knowledge and ability to apply social work principles and Virginia policies in family services programs.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional critical thinking and decision-making skills during crisis situations.
• Computer competency required; proficiency in OASIS and Safe Measures preferred.
• Ability to interpret laws, policies and regulations related to human services.
• Exceptional ability to collaborate and achieve performance goals.
• A real commitment to the safety of children and to Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Service

Real talk: We'll be honest – this is intense! You may have contact with hostile families and children. Home visits may be in less than adequate living conditions. Your emotions will range from the fear of what will happen on your very first home visit to profound sadness for severely traumatized or injured children. You will support staff removing a child(ren) who does not understand they are in danger and may not want to leave. It's a stressful job with critical outcomes. You must be flexible while prioritizing your daily activities. No day is the same. But you have the power to create positive change and have a direct impact on the life of a child and their family that lasts a lifetime. If you are committed to making a real difference in the lives of others, we want you on our team.

Current valid driver's license and good driving record required. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required. A Chesterfield County application is also required and must be submitted online by the deadline.

This position is considered Critical Safety Sensitive and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing. The use of medical marijuana for this position is prohibited. This position is part of an Emergency Shelter Team during times of natural disaster, reporting to shelter duty as required.

Chesterfield County offers an attractive benefits package. As a local Department of Social Services, Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Department of Social Services may offer incentives, approved through the Virginia Department of Social Services, to candidates hired who possess additional relevant training, skills and experience. Those incentives apply to individuals who possess: a Masters or Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Masters in Human Services, LCSW, Child Welfare Stipend participants, completion of COVLC new worker training or are Bilingual (Spanish & ASL).

This position is part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications, and experience.

Visit careers.chesterfield.gov to view instructions and to complete and submit an application.