Child Protective Services Worker; Social Service Specialist

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

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist
1)

Join the Oregon Department of Human Services as a Child Protective Services Worker. In this role, you will engage with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers to ensure safety and promote optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families.

Pay Range

Base salary: $4,833.00 – $7,407.00 per month. Actual pay will be based on skills and experience.

Summary of Duties

• Respond to referrals, interviewing children, parents, and contacts.
• Observe home environments, conduct child safety assessments, and determine 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree unrelated to human services must have either:
  • One year of human services related experience, or
  • Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
• Applicants with an associate degree must have either:
  • Two years of human services related experience, or
  • One year of human services experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Essential Attributes

• Knowledge or experience in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, or behavior management.
• Experience asking detailed questions to assess needs and provide support.
• Ability to explain complex rules in simple, clear language.
• Proficiency in gathering information and writing professional reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Experience engaging with people in difficult or urgent situations.
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds, partnering with community groups, and providing resources.

Working Conditions

• Locations:
  Offices, homes of participants, and community sites.
• Travel:
  Occasional travel for meetings, trainings, and case-related activities; may include overnight stays.
• Hours:
  
  Regular work week with fluctuating hours; occasional overtime including evenings and weekends.
• On-Call:
  Rotating schedule includes evenings and weekends.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Frequent activity and lifting up to 50 pounds; assisting children with car seats.
• Trauma-informed approach required due to sensitive topics of trauma, abuse, and crises.

Application Notice

• Application materials are screened for minimum qualifications and essential attributes. Clearly describe how you meet these requirements.
• Resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field. Multiple files can be attached.
• Artificial Intelligence usage during assessments is prohibited unless stated otherwise.

Background Checks and Requirements

• Criminal history and background check required; adverse history may lead to disqualification.
• No visa sponsorship; I-9 form required within three days of hire.
• Finalists cleared by FBI CJIS via fingerprint-based check.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable record required.

Benefits

• Employee Resource Group communities.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until top of salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ preference information:
Submit documents separately; do not attach in Resume/CV field.

General Information

• Permanent, full-time position represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
• Recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

• Recruiter:
  Amanda Alvarado – Email: AMANDA.K.ALVARADOgon.gov – Phone:

Seniority Level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Other

Industries

• Government Administration

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