Child Protective Services Worker; Social Service Specialist – two

Initial Posting Date: 10/08/2025
Final date to receive applications: 10/16/2025
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range: $4,833 – $7,407 monthly
Position Type:
Employee

Position Title:

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist
1) — two vacancies!

The ODHS is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our and our vision for a positive that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Opportunity awaits! Step into a transformative role where your passion for the well-being of children and your ability to connect with families come together to create lasting change.

Become a catalyst for positive impact in the lives of Oregon’s children and their loved ones.

• Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred.
• Gather information through interviews with parents and children.
• Observe and analyze the safety of home environments.
• Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers.
• Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases.
• Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
• Present and testify in court.

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR a bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either
One (1) year of Human Services related experience; OR
Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency; OR
An associate degree AND either:
Two (2) years of Human Services related experience; OR
One (1) year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
According to ORS 419B.021, any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress.

• Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities.
• Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases for judicial proceedings.
• Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience adapting communication style to ensure clarity and foster understanding amongst diverse audiences such as public speaking, individual client inquiries, court testimonies, and attorneys and judges.
• Experience navigating technology, inputting and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases to verify information accurately.
• Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.
• Experience with case management which includes assessing individual needs, developing and implementing personalized action plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support.

Of the two vacancies, one position’s schedule is 8 a.m. — 5 p.m., Monday — Friday. The second position’s schedule is 4‑10 (four days per week, 10 hours per shift) to be determined as either Wednesday — Saturday or Sunday — Wednesday. Hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime may be required.
Your work will be conducted in the assigned ODHS office (Portland on N Webster Street), participant homes, and other community sites. This position will require participation in an on‑call rotation for mandatory child protective services. Frequent travel is required, sometimes hours away or in hazardous weather conditions.
You may interact with a wide range of people, including those who have experienced trauma and may be experiencing emotional and/or financial distress, which may be trauma‑inducing.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Potential eligibility for employment preference programs (Veterans’ preference).

This is a permanent, full‑time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job‑specific questions. The recruiter for this position is Alissa Walker.
Email: ALISSA.WALKERgon.gov
Phone (call or text): 503‑519‑1807

State of Oregon