Child Protective Services Worker; Social Services Specialist

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Services Specialist
1)

Location: Baker City, Oregon

Posting Date: 12/30/2025
Final date to receive applications: 01/13/2026

Salary Range: $4,833 - $7,407

Agency: Department of Human Services

Position Type: Employee
Employment Type: Full-time
Seniority Level: Entry Level

The Oregon Department of Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Description: We are currently seeking a Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist
1) to join our team in our Baker City office. Baker City is part of rural Eastern Oregon. 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 a greater well-being.

• 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.

Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that 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.

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
• A bachelor’s degree in human services or a field related to human service.
• A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and either:
• One year of Human Services related experience.
• Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
• An associate degree and either:
• Two years of Human Services related experience.
• One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and manage your time well.
• Demonstrated knowledge about trauma-informed care.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write in plain language with minimal spelling and grammar issues.
• Experience giving verbal presentations that were well-received and understandable to the audience.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize self-care in order to maintain good mental health.
• Demonstrated ability to come up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Demonstrated ability to be an active listener and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

• Your work will be conducted in offices, participant’s homes, and other community sites.
• Employee’s work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.
• This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services.
• Frequent travel is required. Some travel may be hours away. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions.
• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.
• Walking into stressful situations that may require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing.

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits…