Child Protection Specialist; Social Service Worker

Child Protection Specialist (Social Service Worker)

Recruitment began on February 19, 2026

and the job listing Expires on March 22, 2026

Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services

Social Services Worker 3

Child Protection Specialist

Child Protection Specialists (Social Service Worker
3) make a difference in the lives of the children, families and communities they serve. As a Child Protection Specialist, you will join a fast
-paced environment where you will balance work as an individual and as a team member, to assess the safety of children. You will partner with families, providers and the community to develop and implement strategies to ensure child safety, permanency, and well-being, and work to help engage and strengthen families in the process.

Our Child Protection Specialists receive support and training to prepare for this crucial role. Successful Child Protection Specialist candidates exercise emotional intelligence, evidence strong social skills, and have a high level of resiliency. They are adaptable, organized, and continuous learners. They have excellent communication, problem solving and decision
-making skills, as well as the ability to build trust and facilitate change with culturally and economically diverse families within an environment of compassion, respect and kindness.

Essential Job Functions

• Assesses/investigates referrals involving child abuse and neglect, dependency, or other families in need of services.
• Conducts in-depth, culturally sensitive interviews with clients, caregivers, children and collateral contacts through face-to-face home visits, office visits, phone calls and written communication.
• Following assessment/investigation and in consultation with a supervisor, determines the next appropriate steps which may include providing short-term interventions.
• Works with schools, medical professionals, law enforcement, and other community-based providers to gather information and to provide ongoing support and services to children and their families.
• Coordinates and/or attends a variety of meetings including family team meetings and team decision making meetings (staffings).
• If court intervention is necessary, works with the agency’s legal team to prepare documents and testimony.
• As applicable, provides extended services for families with more complex challenges who are court involved from the point of transfer through permanence.
• Conducts work in accordance with federal and state guidelines and follows agency policies, procedures and best practice standards.
• Completes paperwork and case documentation in a timely and thorough manner. Performs other related duties as directed. Working hours are variable and family needs.
• May require working beyond regular county business hours.

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or in a field related to Social Work (Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Criminology etc.) OR bachelor’s degree in a non-related field and two (2) years’ experience working in a social services capacity.

Must possess a valid Ohio Driver ’s License and have the use of an insured automobile to complete visits and transport children and clients. Travel will be required both within and outside Cuyahoga County.

All candidates for this position will be screened, per the Ohio Revised Code and cannot have a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect.