Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

About the role

The Oregon Department of Human Services is 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in human services or a field related to human service.
• Or 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.

Essential Attributes

• Demonstrate ability to be self-motivated and manage your time well.
• Demonstrate ability to use trauma-informed practices that are sensitive to the child and family’s lived experience, language, race, and culture.
• Demonstrate excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write in plain language with minimal spelling and grammar issues.
• Demonstrate ability to effectively engage with families under challenging and time-sensitive circumstances.
• Experience being a reliable resource for others and delivering high-quality work in a timely manner.
• Demonstrate ability to be an active listener and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

Working Conditions

• Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.
• Your 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.

Benefits

• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Awesome benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Pay

The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.

Schedule

Your work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs.