Family Services Specialist - CPS
Virginia Department of Social ServicesFAMILY SERVICES SPECIALIST
DEPARTMENT HIRING SALARY RANGE: $55,368 - $66,751 Depending on Experience/Education
This position is eligible for a sign on bonus dependent on education and experience.
JOB OPEN DATE: 09/11/2026
JOB CLOSE DATE: 09/27/2026
JOB DUTIES:
Position primary designation is performing tasks within the Family Services CPS unit; however, position may also be assigned duties within various units of the Family Services Division, i.e., Prevention, CPS, APS, and Foster Care. Under general supervision, facilitates, coordinates, and provides counseling and case management in multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department including protective services for adults and children as well as foster care.
Has general knowledge of the policies and procedures of multiple benefit programs administered by the City of Suffolk Department of Social Services.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Respond to all walk-ins requesting information and referrals and telephone inquiries.
Manage the CPS/APS hotline to receive complaints and enter them into the OASIS system and PeerPlace.
Provide short term services for Learn Fare to address truancy issues with TANF recipients who are referred for noncompliance.
Receive referrals from CSA Coordinator, CPS, and Financial Services Workers for services/family stabilization.
Complete referrals on behalf of the clients to outside community resources for assistance
Complete Homeless shelter referrals and assessments.
Provide Fire and Emergency Assistance to clients in need.
Receive, manage and ensure appropriate distribution when handling clients for the Holiday assistance.
Position requires CPS/APS on-call responsibilities and disaster shelter duties in the event of local emergencies.
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. Maintains various records and case files. Prepares required reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
-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 as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable. Master’s degree in the Human Service field plus some work experience in related human services field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
-Prefer working knowledge of Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services policies. Preferred candidates have completed required VDSS training for CPS and/or APS investigator trainings.
-Prefer working knowledge of adult case management practices and experience managing caseloads involving the elderly and other vulnerable adult populations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants may be subject to a Criminal History Background search, Central Registry search, DMV/driving record check, and/or pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, employment verification and references, verification of education (relevant to employment), credit checks (relevant to employment) and other checks requested by the hiring authority. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of the required checks and screenings.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS:
Applications are accepted online only through this posting. This website will provide a confirmation receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Consideration for an interview is based solely on the information within the application. Please refer to your account for the status of your application and this position.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Suffolk Department of Social Services - 135 Hall Avenue Suite B, Suffolk, VA 23434 or vdssjobs@suffolkva.us
VDSS is one of the largest Commonwealth agencies, partnering with 120 local departments of social services, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside nearly 13,000 state and local human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia's most vulnerable citizen have access to best services and benefits available to them.