Child Protective Services Worker; Social Service Specialist

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist
1)

The Oregon Department of Human Services is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer.

As a Child Protective Services Worker, you will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and families.

• Respond to referrals and interview children, families, and contacts.
• Observe home environments and conduct child safety assessments to determine abuse or neglect.
• Take protective action when necessary and develop service plans to meet the needs of children and families.
• Arrange medical evaluations, placements, and connect families with services and resources.
• Create reports, safety plans, assessment evaluations, and case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations.

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field; OR
• A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND one of the following:
  • One year of Human Services related experience;
  • Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency;
  • An associate degree and either:
    • Two years of Human Services related experience;
    • One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

• Managing competing deadlines by independently organizing workload and meeting timelines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Using trauma‑informed de‑scalation strategies in crisis situations and collaborating with a team to ensure safety and follow‑up care.
• Using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and entering or retrieving data from organizational databases.
• Collaborating with internal and external partners to complete shared projects or resolve client needs.
• Writing documents or reports that include a conclusion and recommended action (case plans, court reports, investigative reports).

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Employment Preference for Veterans and Oregon National Guard service members (current and former).

Mon‑Fri 8am‑5pm PT on‑site in Klamath Falls, OR; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required. Your position involves regular travel, including long‑distance travel and travel in hazardous weather conditions. Some travel may occur in remote locations without reliable cell service. Occasional overnight travel may be required. After your first year, you will begin participating in the on‑call rotation that supports child protective services.

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required. If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint‑based criminal records check.

Requisition number: REQ-201623. Email:
Heather.

S.Whelangon.gov Phone: (call or text) 503‑979‑8682.