The City of Chesapeake Department of Human Services seeks an experienced Child Protective Services (CPS) Family Services Specialist that under the supervision of a Family Services Supervisor will be responsible for case management duties associated with conducting CPS assessments and investigations. In this position the applicant will investigate CPS referrals concerning allegations of child abuse/neglect, assess child safety and risk utilizing a variety of structured decision-making tools, interviews, and observations. The position will require the applicant to prepare court documents related to child safety and appear in a variety of court hearings to testify in cases.

Applicant will have to make sound decisions pertaining to child safety to include removing children from their home and placing children with relatives or in foster care. Applicant is required to collaborate with law enforcement, mental health professionals, and emergency medical services partners when conducting CPS investigations and assessments. The applicant will have a demanding caseload to include investigations and family assessment referrals.

Applicant should be able to model professional behavior and best practices from the Virginia Services Practice Model. Applicant will also be required to complete tasks related to Child Protective Services Intake procedures. Applicant should have strong attention to detail and be able to work in a fast-paced environment. This position requires applicants to have a flexible schedule, and selected applicant must be willing and able to work after hours.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Conducts interviews or investigations and makes client/family assessments; formulates and implements plan; screens interstate referrals; sends out and reviews home study information.
• Provides individual and group counseling for client and family.
• Prepares purchase orders for client services and negotiates provider rates; confirms provider availability and service authorization; verifies client information; processes invoices for payment.
• Interacts/coordinates with other agencies, organizations, or family/community members to provide services for client and family/prior custodians; makes referrals for other social services.
• Conducts home visits to supervise, observe, and document family interactions, activities, and environment; establishes schedule with parents/prior custodians for child visitation.
• Provides direct services to clients/families including teaching basic living, parenting, budgeting, or employment skills, providing mediation counseling, and accompanying clients to appointments.
• Collects and compiles information/data and prepares periodic and special reports; maintains files/records for area of responsibility; develops program forms.
• Provides emergency services/crisis intervention for clients/families; protects clients through court involvement; testifies at local, state, and judicial appeals; provides client placement as needed.
• Conducts pre-service foster parent orientations and classes to evaluate/screen applicants; recruits and conducts training classes and orientations for volunteers.
• Provides information to public on eligibility requirements and available services for assigned area.
• Performs routine office tasks such as dictating case notes, data entry, typing correspondence or forms, filing, faxing, telephoning, or photocopying.
• Conducts training classes for service providers; certifies and recertifies approved providers; attends professional workshops and seminars to improve professional skills.
• Rotates through various service provider roles in such areas as CPS, foster care, and adoption.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

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