Family Services Specialist III - CPS Investigator

SENIOR FAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST - CPS Investigator

Hiring Range: $58,935 to $77,066

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Position primary designation is performing tasks within the Family Services Child Protective Services unit; however, position may also be assigned duties within various units of the Family Services Division, i.e., Prevention, Intake, APS, Resources and Foster Care. Stands in as acting supervisor and completes all supervisory responsibilities when the unit supervisor is unavailable. Responsible for adhering to all requirements of Virginia DSS Child Protective Services Guidance pertaining to effective case management.

Effectively conducts and completes case consultation with other family services workers. Be an effective and active model and mentor for family services workers. Provides coaching and training of new family services workers. Assess and evaluate the progress of probationary employees and communicate to immediate supervisor. Responsible for case assignment within units. Ensures that the CPS hotline is fully manned by staff at all times.

Responsible for conducting investigations of abuse and neglect of specialized high acuity/high risk/high visibility cases. Provides case management and referral to community resources to at‑risk families. Works closely with law enforcement. Collects information through observation and interviews with children, adults parents, relatives, neighbors and other parties associated with the case. Conducts Family Partnership Meetings as needed and specifically for high and very high‑risk cases transferring to other units.

Conducts case quality assurance functions to include the review of family service worker case documentation and providing feedback regarding findings. Respond to Freedom of Information Act requests.

Under limited supervision, facilitates, coordinates, and supervises the counseling and case management aspect in multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department including protective services for adults and children, foster care and/or quality performance initiatives. May coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for the daily activities and outcomes.

Tasks include screening clients and explaining multiple social work service programs, determining and pursuing necessary action to meet client needs, counseling clients, and providing or assisting in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance, assessing and making recommendations for improved work quality. Maintains various records and case files. Prepares required reports. Manages the CPS/APS hotline to receive complaints and enter them into the OASIS system and Peer Place.

Completes referrals on behalf of the to outside community resources for assistance. Position requires CPS/APS on-call responsibilities and disaster shelter duties in the event of local emergencies.

Supervises assigned subordinate staff members. Instructs, assigns and reviews work. Plans the work of others. Maintains standards through the effective coordination of activities. Provides guidance and assistance in completing daily tasks. Completes performance appraisals for subordinate personnel. Provides input for developmental needs of staff members. Coordinates Child Welfare and Adult Services programs. Establishes and updates procedures. Monitors program and outcomes. Provides recommendations for improvements and changes to the program to meet program goals.

Acts as the lead worker in special program areas including group work services and community planning and organization. Provides input and recommendations and participates in planning and evaluating department programs. Interacts with and performs tasks to assist clients. Interviews and counsels clients. Performs intake and crisis intervention for clients. Conducts investigations and prepares evaluations. Meets with clients to prepare evaluations.

Counsels clients and designs service plans including participation in benefits programs, group and individual counseling sessions, medical or psychiatric treatment and related needs.…