Family Services Specialist; In Home CPS

Description The City of Roanoke is seeking a Family Services Specialist to work with the CPS In‑Home division. The successful candidate provides support and assistance to agency clients in meeting their personal, social, health, and economic needs. The role involves identifying problems, referring families to outside services, maintaining case records, preparing reports, and testifying in court hearings when required. The program works with families whose children are at risk of placement in foster care.

The position facilitates services addressing mental health, substance abuse, and skill‑based support for parents within their homes to prevent placement of children outside the home. Responsibilities also include creating prevention strategies, developing prevention service plans, and obtaining federal funding to keep families together. Collaboration with courts, schools, and community partners is essential. The specialist manages a caseload within the CPS program, completes routine paperwork per Virginia State Code, and participates in a rotating after‑hours beeper team for emergency CPS/APS/foster care situations.

• Interview clients to assess needs.
• Identify problems, counsel and consult with supervisor to prepare service plans.
• Maintain case records and prepare written reports of services, findings, and actions.
• Make referrals to agencies such as clinics, employment services, vocational rehabilitation, courts, and child‑care providers.
• Serve as agency representative on multidisciplinary teams.
• Respond to crisis situations promptly and professionally.
• Participate in a 24‑hour on‑call rotation and after‑hours beeper team.
• Assist in studying homes for day care, foster care, adoption placement, or institutionalization decisions.
• Make decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and recommend institutionalization of adults and children as appropriate.
• Collaborate with courts, schools, and community partners to support families.
• Provide protection and care to abandoned, abused, and neglected children and adults.

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field—or a Bachelor’s degree in any field with at least two years of relevant experience in Human Services.
• Valid driver’s license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or proof of driving record from previous state.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations promptly and professionally.
• Strong communication, record‑keeping, and case‑management skills.
• Basic reasoning and analytical skills.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to present information orally and in writing to managers, clients, and the general public.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged.

The role requires frequent use of hands, arms, and speech; occasional standing, walking, and light lifting up to 30 pounds. Ability to endure extended periods of sitting at a workstation is required.

The job involves exposure to outside weather conditions, moderate noise levels, and potential exposure to violence, traffic hazards, and communicable diseases. Stress and cold/heat environments may be encountered.

Paid leave includes paid sickness and extended illness leave, funeral leave, military leave, and paid holidays. Employees receive up to 96 hours of annual paid holiday time. Health, dental, vision, life, and retirement benefits are available through city‑sponsored plans. Detailed benefit options and rates are available upon request.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.
NOTE: If you do not hold a State of Virginia Driver’s License, you must provide a certified copy of a DMV record from your previous state of residence.

This is a non‑exempt position.