Family Services Specialist; CPS Investigations

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Family Services Specialist to conduct Child Protective Services investigations. The CPS Investigator will assess and investigate allegations of child abuse and/or neglect while providing needed services to at‑risk families and children. Works closely with various ancillary agencies to enforce child protective services laws and provide required/requested services to families in need. Plans and coordinates needed services for individuals and families while making appropriate referrals to other agencies as necessary.

Prepares court affidavits/reports and testifies as needed. Maintains CPS caseload while completing routine paperwork in time frames required by Virginia State Code. Ability to multi‑task and respond to crisis situations in a timely and professional manner. Acts as a team player willing to assist co‑workers and able to work outside the normal range of hours when necessary. Participates in a rotating after‑hours beeper team that responds to emergency CPS/APS/Foster Care situations.

NOTE:
If you do not hold a State of Virginia Driver's License, you will be required to provide a certified copy of a DMV report from the state of previous residence before you can be considered for this position.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

This is a non‑exempt position.

Supports and assists agency clients with personal, social, health and economic needs.

• Interview clients to assess the nature and extent of needs.
• Identify problems, counsel clients, and confer with supervisor in preparing social studies and framing and delivering service plans.
• Maintain records throughout the client’s service relationships with the agency.
• Make referrals for services to agencies such as clinics, employment services, and vocational rehabilitation services.
• Perform work with agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts, circuit courts, etc.
• Provide protection and care to abandoned, abused and neglected children and adults on a regular and emergency basis in potentially dangerous situations.
• Work with abusive or neglecting parents and families to effect changes in family situations, usually in the family home setting.
• Make decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and make recommendations regarding institutionalization of adults and children.
• Study homes for daycare, foster care of adoption placement and/or foster care and adoptive placements.
• Maintain case records, prepare written reports of services, findings and actions.
• Serve as agency representative on a variety of multidisciplinary teams.
• Participate in a 24‑hour on‑call rotation.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and OR EXPERIENCE 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 Human Services.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as laws, policies, regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries orally and in writing. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Possession of a valid driver’s permit issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you do not have a Driver’s License issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia, you must submit a certified copy of your driving record issued by the DMV from your previous state of residence with your application.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable…