Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) | Bilingual English​/Spanish required

Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist
1) | Bilingual English/Spanish Required

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! Turn your passion for protecting children and empowering families into a career that truly makes a difference, your journey starts here!

At the Oregon Department of Human Services, we are looking for individuals who believe in the power of empathy, resilience, and human connection. As a Permanency Worker, you will be at the heart of our mission— where you will connect with families, navigate their unique stories, and help create lasting change for Oregon's children and communities.

Permanency caseworkers specialize in working with children, families, and resource parents to ensure children are safe in their homes. This includes assuring a child's physical, psychological and social well-being with the goal of reuniting families or finding alternate, permanent plans when necessary.

Together, we can create lasting change!

Summary of Duties

• Ensure the child's safety and well-being through regular communication.
• Help the child adapt, evaluate progress in development and treatment requirements, discuss upcoming changes, and prepare the child for transitions.
• Arrange visits between children in care and their parents and other family members. Actively monitor the visits and interactions between parents and children and offer necessary guidance, when applicable.
• Attend Child Safety meetings and collaborate with Child Protective Services Workers and families to develop safety plans for children.
• Provide case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents and children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Collaborate with parents and schools to evaluate the child's academic progress and achievement of goals.
• Communicate expectations, planned contacts and timelines with families in community and family home settings.
• Engage in preparation and presentation of cases in juvenile court hearings.
• Provides, time-limited case management and intervention services to children in substitute care and children remaining safely in their own homes.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; 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.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (the job offer will be contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in the bilingual requirements of the position).

Essential Attributes

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and with community partners to achieve positive outcomes by organizing work effectively, balancing competing priorities, and fostering strong professional relationships.
• Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively and professionally through written, verbal, and electronic communication while utilizing case management systems, document management software, and other technology to support accurate, timely, and efficient service delivery.
• Experience with advocating for safety, permanency, and well-being in ways that honor each person's unique story and strengths.
• Demonstrates curiosity, humility, and willingness to learn from people with diverse identities, cultural histories, lived experiences, and worldviews.
• Experience identifying problems and solutions through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
• Experience in social services related field providing services and resources to children and families.

Attention all candidates!

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.

• Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile.
  
  Note:
  
  Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
• If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process.
• The use of outside resources such as…