Family Services Specialist I

Requisition ID: 48938 Work Location: Human Services - Juvenile Detention Center Pay Range: G.23, $51,708.80 - $80,142.40 Starting Salary: Depending upon Qualifications Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm Part Time Hours/Wk: Job Open Date: 5/6/26 Application Deadline: 5/27/26

Job Duties:

The City of Virginia Beach Department of Human Services is seeking to hire a candidate for the Family Services Specialist I position with the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). We are seeking a candidate who has experience with case management, assessing client and family service needs, developing service plans, using an array of counseling and intervention techniques to assist clients and Facilitate aspects of the Community Placement Program (CPP) at the Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center (VBJDC) in partnership with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

Duties:

• Work collaboratively with the residents to provide counseling, develop behavioral, educational, vocational, and career goals, and assess progress, concerns and behavior.
• Schedule and facilitate monthly Treatment Team Meetings with the Parole Officer (PO), parent(s), guardian(s), Mental Health Clinician, and the resident. Complete a progress report of the meeting and forward to stakeholders and upload to the DJJ Balanced Approach Data Gathering Environment (BADGE).
• Enhance family engagement and feel connected to their families by encouraging and facilitating communication through special events, visits, phone calls and written communication.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation of services and contacts in BADGE as required by DJJ. Conduct a 3-month (quarterly) YASI re-assessment for each resident.
• Attend and participate in regular Re-Enrollment Committee meetings led by the Virginia Beach Public Schools to plan for resident’s continuing education within the community after release.
• Provide crisis intervention and support to the Program residents and refer to support services as necessary.
• Understand and be familiar with DJJ policies and expectations relevant to CPP, court testimonies, and Re-Entry by attending trainings and reviewing manual revisions.
• Advocate for each resident and provide an additional voice for concerns, problems and needs of the residents.
• Process and facilitate admissions into the Program by providing orientation, verifying all documentation, scheduling physical and psychological evaluations and prepare for the Treatment Team Meeting.
• Understand and be sufficient with Microsoft Office Suite, report writing, and data capture software
• Provide DJJ and PO monthly progress reports of each CPP resident and communicate updates as needed throughout the month.

The City offers a generous benefits package which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement, and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, Holidays and Paid Leave.

Official City Job Description:

https://virginia-beach-departments-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/city/job-descriptions-pay-plans/Family-Services-Specialist-I-02307.pdf

Working Conditions:

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/B.005630.2.pdf

Minimum Requirements:

MINIMUMS: Must possess a minimum of a Bachelors degree in a human services field (social work, counseling, gerontology, guidance and counseling, family and child development, psychology or sociology); or possess a Bachelors degree in any field accompanied by a minimum of two (2) years related experience in a human services area. Must have, or obtain, a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina drivers license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV drivers license eligibility requirements.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Additional Requirements:

DMV Transcript: Required
CDL: Not Required
DOT History: Not Required
CPS Check: Required
Physical: Required
Respirator: Not Required
Polygraph Review: Not Required
Psychological Screening: Not Required

Attachments Required: Resume

Preferences:

Strong Preference: Four (4) years' experience working with youth in a detention setting
Bachelor’s degree in related field as notated in preferences
Experience with policies/procedures in juvenile justice system
Experience applying safety and security principles and practices in detention centers.
Experience in behavior management and crisis intervention
Experience facilitating individual and group counseling sessions for youth, using SW, MH assessment techniques and cognitive behavioral interventions for treatment
Experience interviewing at-risk youth, using motivational interviewing, to include assessing/observing/documenting behaviors
Experience with case management, DJJ regulations and the Community Placement Program

Special Instructions:

Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City's operational status.

• Please complete the application in its entirety and include your resume if required by the posting.
• Your responses to any "Supplemental Questions", if attached to this requisition, must be supported by the information you provide on your application and/or resume; or otherwise demonstrated during the hiring process.
• You will not be able to access the details of this job ad once the closing date has passed. If you would like to retain this information, please take a screen shot or print using your browser's printing capability.

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.