Social Service Specialist ; Child Protective Services

Equal Opportunity

Employer:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. It is guided by the Equity North Star and a vision of a positive, inclusive culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others.

Overview: As an employee in the Child Welfare Program, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding children and strengthening families in Oregon. Your work will support the organization’s vision for safer, healthier children and foster wellness.

• Safety & Wellbeing:
  Assist families in achieving goals while ensuring child safety.
• Engagement:
  Connect with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers to promote safety, permanency, and optimal outcomes.
• Assessment and Interviews:
  Conduct fact‑finding interviews on child safety, abuse, neglect, or harm risks, and address care needs.
• Strategies:
  Develop and implement multi‑level strategies that leverage family strengths and address improvement areas.
• Decision‑Making:
  Analyze information to determine appropriate child placement and consider unique family circumstances.
• Communication:
  Create reports, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations in office, community, or legal settings.

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field, OR
• Bachelor’s degree unrelated to human services and:
  • One year of human services experience; OR
  • Completion of coursework equivalent to Oregon Caseworker Competency certification; OR
• Associate degree and:
  • Two years of human services experience; OR
  • One year of human services experience plus related training, coursework or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

• Experience protecting children from abuse and neglect in families, foster care, or other out‑of‑home settings.
• Experience responding to referrals involving alleged child abuse or neglect requiring field assessment.
• Experience determining abuse/neglect occurrence and taking appropriate action per OSSM guidelines.
• Experience attending court hearings related to CPS assessments in collaboration with DDA/AAG and/or Community Partners.

• Work locations include offices, participants’ homes, and community sites.
• Occasional travel for meetings, training, and case‑related activities, including overnight stays.
• Flexible hours with occasional overtime, evenings, and weekends.
• Rotating on‑call schedule during evenings and weekends.
• Physical demands: frequent activity, lifting up to 50 lbs, assisting children with car seats.
• Required trauma‑informed approach for handling sensitive topics, with readiness for stressful decisions.

• Criminal history and background checks for finalists; adverse findings may lead to disqualification.
• No visa sponsorship; U.S. work authorization verified via I‑9 and E‑Verify.
• Fingerprint‑based criminal records check by FBI CJIS for finalists.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities for shared learning.
• Cost‑of‑Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (up to top of the listed range).
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

• Veterans’ preference information and submission instructions provided separately.
• Eligible starting January 2026: 5% award with Oregon National Guard form DA5016, DD214, or NGB
  22 required.

Individuals with disabilities may request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Contact the recruiter at brent.lawrencegon.gov for requests, providing the job requisition number.