This job announcement is a courtesy job post for the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights 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).
CLICK HERE TO APPLY: Senior Family Services Specialist - CPS In-Home | Job Details tab | Career Pages
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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.
What You Do and How You Do It:
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. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date. 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).
Did you know that working for a local government provides credit towards the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)?
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.
Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
