Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

About the role

The Oregon Department of Human Services seeks a Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) to engage with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon's children and families.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals, interviewing children, families, and contacts.
• Observe home environments, conduct child safety assessments, and make determinations of abuse or neglect, taking protective action when necessary.
• Develop service plans to meet the needs of children and families.
• Arrange medical evaluations, placements, and connect families with services and resources.
• Create reports, safety plans, assessment evaluations, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations.

Requirements

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a related field, or a bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and one year of Human Services related experience, or completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Qualifications

• Experience managing competing deadlines by independently organizing workload and meeting timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using trauma-informed de-escalation strategies in crisis situations, including collaborating with a team to ensure safety and follow-up care.
• Experience using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and entering or retrieving data from organizational databases.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to complete shared projects or resolve client needs.
• Experience writing documents or reports that include a conclusion and recommended action (examples: case plans, court reports, investigative reports).

Essential Attributes

• Experience managing competing deadlines by independently organizing workload and meeting timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using trauma-informed de-escalation strategies in crisis situations, including collaborating with a team to ensure safety and follow-up care.
• Experience using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and entering or retrieving data from organizational databases.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to complete shared projects or resolve client needs.
• Experience writing documents or reports that include a conclusion and recommended action (examples: case plans, court reports, investigative reports).

Benefits

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

Employment Preference

• Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard Preference Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.