(Posted 2023 April)

Meet Brittny!

Position: Program Manager for Child Protective Services and Protection and Preservation Services within the Children, Youth, and Families Division.

I’ve been in my current role for about four years. I’m one of four program managers responsible for providing oversight for the Child Protective Services and Protection and Preservation Services program. My job involves providing direct supervision to the supervisors and support to the practitioners who conduct CPS assessments and investigations and provide in-home services to families we serve. 

I enjoy guiding practitioners and supervisors to attain their goals, being sure that we are providing services to families that will strengthen them and hopefully leave them in a better situation. I also have a passion for helping families, and I am now in a position to influence those interacting with families in the community.   

I worked my way up the ladder into this position over the last 20 years. I started my career at the Department of Family Services as an intern while working on my Bachelor of Social Work. I loved the environment and the people, and I decided to stay.

In fact, I’ve spent most of my career working in Child Protective Services here in Fairfax County. The Children, Youth, and Families Division as a whole offers a supportive learning environment with multiple growth opportunities. I’ve found that I can set my own career goals and achieve them here in Fairfax. Along the way, I’ve balanced work with getting my Master of Social Work and becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

This allowed me to gain promotions, moving from social services specialist II, to a social services specialist III, then a supervisor, and now program manager. My time as a practitioner in the field has helped me to be effective in supervising others who are now doing the work. It’s come full circle.  

I also get to encourage others who are making their way along a similar path. Fairfax County has adopted a Career Management Plan, which allows individuals to identify new areas of professional interest, and Fairfax County supports learning across disciplines through job shadowing, informational interviews, and training opportunities. Working here provides different opportunities for individual growth, development, training, and community engagement. Most importantly, it allows you to be able to make a difference.

Work-life balance is valued. Knowing that the practitioners and supervisors I manage have all the support and the resources they need to do their jobs, and the flexibility to step away as needed is so important to me. I’m able to relax and be fully present with family and friends outside of work when my staff is fully supported. When I am not in the office, you’ll find me leading by example. I recharge my batteries as I travel and spend time with those closest to me. I’m also an avid bingo player. It’s a lot of fun to relax from work there, make money, and people watch too!

Get to know more about Brittny’s career through this video spotlight.

So, join DFS. Come work with us in CYF. There is never a dull moment. You will be engaged in doing life-changing work that provides value and meaning to many in our community.