Child Protective Services Worker; Social Service Specialist

Equality and Inclusion Statement 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 historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others.

Title: Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist
1)

Type: Employee (Full-time, Permanent)

Salary Range: $4,954 - $7,592 per month

Agency: Department of Human Services

Posting Date: 06/10/2026 |
Final date to receive applications: 06/24/2026

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 greater well‑being.

• Respond to referrals, interviewing children, families and contacts.
• Observe home environments, conduct child safety assessments, and make determinations of abuse or neglect, taking protective action when necessary.
• 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, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations.

• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field.
• OR a bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either one year of Human Services experience or completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
• OR an associate degree and either two years of Human Services experience or one year of Human Services experience with related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

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

• Work schedule Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PT on‑site in Klamath Falls, OR; hours may fluctuate based on service needs.
• Occasional compensated overtime during evenings and weekends may be required.
• 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 the first year, participation in the on‑call rotation that supports child protective services.
• Work conducted in offices, participant’s homes, and other community sites.
• Activities include traversing stairs, moving on uneven terrain, and helping children (weighing up to 0 pounds) in and out of car seats.
• Role involves handling sensitive topics related to trauma, abuse, and crises, requiring a trauma‑informed approach that is essential to ensure a safe environment.
• Interaction with individuals who have experienced trauma and may have difficulty managing their emotions.
• Preparedness for stressful situations that require quick decision‑making to ensure safety for yourself and others.

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• If selected as a finalist, a criminal history and background check will be conducted. Adverse results may lead to disqualification.
• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice…