Child Protection Specialist; Region - Western

Job Description - Child Protection Specialist (Region 5 - Western) )

Position Title:

Child Protection Specialist (Region 5 - Western) )

As a Child Protection Specialist, you will play a critical role in enhancing the well‑being of Montana families. You will engage directly with families facing a wide range of challenges, investigating child abuse, providing support, advocacy, and connection to vital resources. This role is both rewarding and demanding. You will navigate complex, sometimes hostile, situations that require empathy, resiliency, and a deep understanding of social systems.

While the path is not always easy, the difference you make is invaluable in Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong.

• Conduct timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment, in accordance with requirements of state and federal statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision‑making guides.
• Carry a caseload and keep all case file documentation current.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies.
• Prepare for and testify in court, preliminary hearings, multi‑disciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.
• Place child(ren) in out‑of‑home care, when necessary, and ensure that the placement is safe and complies with statutory and policy preferences and is in the best interests of the child(ren). Identify available resources and connect families and children to these resources.
• Assure child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Prepare assessments, design case plans, evaluate progress of participants, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
• Require frequent travel and conduct in‑home visits and interviews, which may include out‑of‑state travel, and be willing to have appropriate travel documents.
• Work may include evenings, weekends, or holidays, and a rotating on‑call schedule is assigned.

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well‑being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

The State of Montana’s comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

• Required bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related degree.
• Two years of social services work experience or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
• Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples.
• Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family centered social work practice.

• Stress Tolerance:
  Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (e.g., tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations).
• Self‑Management:
  Sets well‑defined and realistic personal goals, displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward completing assignments in a timely manner, works with minimal supervision, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Decision Making:
  Makes sound, well‑informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Advocacy:
  Develops and presents the client’s, youth’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.
• Teamwork:
  Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, fosters commitment and works with others to achieve goals.
• Ability to make critical decisions based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant,…