CPS Hotline Specialist III (Social Services Specialist III)

Job Announcement

This position includes a signing bonus of $2,500 (full-time) for new county hires.

This position works within the Division of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) to receive, evaluate and document reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. DFS is committed to strengthening the well-being of its diverse community by protecting and improving the lives of all children, adults, and families through assistance, partnership, advocacy, outreach, and quality services. To learn more about DFS and its Mission, Vision, and Values, please click here.

The CPS Hotline Specialist is a member of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline. The primary responsibility of this position is to document reports (i.e., telephone, oral, written, fax, and / or email) of child abuse and / or neglect; serve as a policy expert on the related Virginia Code; and to assess the nature and extent of need. Must work during County observed Holidays when Fairfax County Public Schools are operational.

Work hours are Monday-Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m. Must work during county observed holidays when Fairfax County Public Schools are operational.

Duties of the CPS Hotline Specialist include :

• Evaluates and determines if the reported information of child abuse and / neglect meets the statutory and agency guidelines for child maltreatment.
• Serves as subject matter expert surrounding state and local policies on screening child abuse and neglect referrals.
• Implements and leads the Review, Evaluate, and Direct (RED) Team of CYF Safe & Connected Model to determine the validity, response time, and track assignment for reports of child abuse and neglect.
• Provides information and referral resources, and brief (immediate) crisis intervention to callers for referrals / inquiries that do not warrant a CPS intervention.
• Uses automated technology in multiple systems to support the decision-making and assignment process.
• Documents all validated and invalidated referrals in the automated computer systems, OASIS in accordance with state and local policy.
• Assigns validated referrals by alerting assigned worker / supervisor of referral.
• Provides an overview of the CPS Hotline process to staff, supervisors, and managers.
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families.
• Provides supervisory assistance to the specialist II's that are within the unit. This includes providing consultation and feedback about screening decisions, training of newer employees, and serving as a policy expert among the hotline staff.

KNOWELDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES :

All Fairfax County Government employees are expected to adhere to the Standards of Conduct. In maintaining a drug free workplace, employees are prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while at work or on county premises.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Ability to provide management and oversight of a program or project.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus three years of professional social work experience. A master's degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Contingent upon the area of assignment, some positions within this class may require specific certification(s) prior to employment and / or the ability to acquire necessary certification(s) within a specified time period following employment. The certifications are identified in the position description and employment advertisement .

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED :

Valid driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and a Child Protective Services check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Work requires performing tasks with risks of secondary traumatic stress (STS). Ability to navigate through and make decisions in stressful and crisis situations. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to use automated technology. Ability to concentrate and multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Mobility to attend meetings at various county locations. Ability to perform duties in a position that is sedentary in nature. All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

SELECTION PROCEDURE :

Panel interview; may include practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian / Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and / or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY . EEO / AA / TTY.

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