Child Welfare Case Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) Bilingual Preferred English/Spanish

About the role

The Oregon Department of Human Services seeks two (2) openings for Child Welfare Case Workers (Social Service Specialist 1) in The Dalles office. Positions include a Permanency Worker and a Combined Permanency/Child Protective Service Worker.

Responsibilities

• Support families by helping them achieve their goals while ensuring child safety.
• Engage with diverse families, including American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, and collaborate with tribal entities and community partners.
• Create and implement strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas needing improvement.
• Conduct home visits, complete legal documentation, attend court hearings, and address child safety issues.
• Establish meaningful relationships with families to understand their dynamics and support their unique needs.
• Respond to referrals, gather information through interviews, observe and analyze home environments, and gather collateral information.
• Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placements for children, fulfill documentation requirements, and present in court.

Requirements

• Minimum qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field, or combination of education and experience meeting the requirements.
• Experience collaborating with diverse individuals and groups, applying trauma-informed practices, and drafting analytical documents.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of child development principles and impact of parental actions and choices.
• Prior transferrable experience assessing child safety, protective capabilities of parents/caregivers, and developing service and concurrent plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field.
• One year of Human Services related experience or completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
• Associate degree and two years of Human Services related experience or one year of experience and related training, coursework, or certification.

Essential Attributes

• Experience collaborating with diverse individuals and groups to identify solutions that support child safety and meet policy requirements.
• Experience applying trauma-informed practices and building effective partnerships with children, parents, community organizations, agency staff, and affected communities.
• Demonstrated ability to use time-management, organizational, and prioritization skills to consistently meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of child development principles and impact of parental actions and choices.
• Prior transferrable experience assessing the safety of children, assessing the protective capabilities of parents/caregivers, and developing service and concurrent plans.

Benefits

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

Pay

$4,954.00 - $7,592.00 per month

Schedule

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. The Combined CPS/Perm 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.