Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date:

08/20/2024

Application Deadline:

09/04/2024

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

4536.00-6952.00

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Opportunity awaits! Imagine a role where you engage with children, families, resource parents and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon's children and families. Imagine yourself conducting child safety assessments through an equity and culturally relevant lens. If you're looking to make a difference and this sounds intriguing, this Child Protective Services Worker position may be for you!

Summary of Duties

As an employee working within the Child Welfare Program, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon's most vulnerable children and families. Your dedication will help us achieve the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation that will support children and young adults to be safer, healthier, experience less trauma and achieve a greater well-being.

As a Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, you will:

• Assessment and Interviews: In this position you will investigate allegations of child abuse and neglect by gathering evidence, interviewing family members, children, and collateral sources. This position requires cooperation and collaboration with law enforcement, child advocacy centers and other community partners. Each assessment will be documented in a report you create that details a comprehensive overview of the event that led to the call of concern as well as the family condition, circumstances, and culture.

• Family Support: In this position you will consider family risk and safety. In addition to assessing events of child abuse, you will analyze the family condition and may offer services and referrals to support the family and prevent abuse from occurring in the future.

• Safety Planning: In this position you will be responsible for intervention once a child has been identified to be unsafe. This would include actions anywhere from building a plan that ensures child safety with the family to legal intervention where children are removed from the home through court action. ODHS strives to keep families together whenever possible, but there are times when child safety cannot be maintained in the home initially.

• Court Involvement: Once a decision has been made consistent with the Oregon Safety Model and Oregon law that legal action must take place, you will be responsible for writing detailed reports to the court, presenting evidence, and giving testimony in an active courtroom. You may be placed on the stand and act as a state witness engaging with representation from the Attorney General's Office while being questioned by attorneys.

• Custodian: Once a child is in the temporary or protective custody of the state, you will be responsible to ensure safety and basic care needs for children. You will coordinate with resource parents (foster), doctors, schools, or other care providers to ensure children's needs are met. You may be responsible to transport the child or family to events, school, or appointments. You will supervise family time (visitation) between children and parents.

• Communication: You will engage with families, meeting them where they are at, getting to know them and their culture while building rapport. You will collaborate with community partners and stakeholders regularly. This may include forensic interviewers at child advocacy centers, law enforcement, medical professionals, school staff, victim advocates and court personnel. You will regularly staff cases with supervision and a safety team about your cases, presenting objective information for decision making.

Minimum Qualifications

A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

• A bachelor's degree in human services or a field related to human service, or

• A bachelor's degree unrelated to Human Services and either:

• One year of Human Services related experience, or

• Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency, or

• An associate degree and either:

• Two years of Human Services related experience, or

• One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience thinking critically and analyzing complex situations and information to make logical and sound decisions.

• Demonstrated organizational skills that reflect effective time management, capability to prioritize multiple competing priorities, the ability to keep clear and concise documentation and notes.

• Experience taking initiative to engage in difficult tasks and time-consuming duties that prioritize child safety. Including willingness to work overtime as needed to accomplish duties.

• Demonstrated experience following instructions and directions, acting on tasks swiftly.

• Experience shifting focus in dynamic environments with changing priorities.

• Experience monitoring and assessing environments and activities to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

• Experience maintaining composure and professionalism while engaging hostile or challenging individuals.

Attention all candidates! A cover letter is required. Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

Working Conditions

• Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.

• Occasional travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.

• Employee will work a professional work week; hours of work will fluctuate based on service needs.

• Frequent, mandatory, compensated overtime will be required, including evening and weekend work.

• Employee will be on a rotating on-call schedule. The rotating on-call schedule will include evening or weekend work.

• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.

• You may encounter stressful situations that will require quick decision-making skills.

Background Checks and Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing benefits package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Employment Preference

Veterans' preference:

• Veterans' preference information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans' preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

General Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Amanda Alvarado. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-160783.

• Email: AMANDA.K.ALVARADO@odhs.oregon.gov

• Phone (call or text): 541-709-8695