Child Welfare Specialist I/II/III
This position is located in Vinita, Oklahoma. Working in Child Welfare for Oklahoma's largest state agency means having the opportunity to positively impact the safety and well-being of children and families for generations to come. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, OKDHS has a place for you! Join our team and create pathways to hope for all Oklahomans. Extensive training will be provided to new employees.
Pay
- Level I H23A - $37,280.75 + Full State Employee Benefits
- Level II H23B - $40,077.79 + Full State Employee Benefits
- Level III H23C - $43,968.62 + Full State Employee Benefits
Applicants who possess a Master's Degree in Social Work will be entitled to a salary incentive of an additional 5%. On-call positions will receive an additional bonus ranging from $100 to $150 every two weeks, depending on responsibilities.
Schedule
Hours worked may include on-call, extended and/or weekend hours.
Minimum Qualifications
- Child Welfare Specialist, Level I
- Completion of 90 hours from an accredited college or university; OR
- 3 years of experience related to child welfare work; OR
- A combination of education and experience
- Child Welfare Specialist, Level II
- A bachelor's degree (in any field) to qualify; OR
- One year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist
- Child Welfare Specialist, Level III
- A Master's degree; OR
- A Bachelors Degree plus one year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist; OR
- Two years of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist
Responsibilities
This position job responsibilities may be in one or more of the following, within Child Welfare Programs.
- Child Protective Services (CPS)
- Investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect
- Protects the safety of children and provides services to help families with any barriers that can result in the safety of their children to be at risk
- Family Centered Services (FCS)
- Preserves and strengthens protective capacities of the parents to keep the child in their own home with a focus on increasing safety for the child and family to prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements
- Permanency Planning (PP)
- Provides services to families that include involving family members as participants in their own treatment plan
- Provides placements for children which will meet their medical, educational, and physical needs
- Returns children to their own homes as soon as their needs can be met in the home of their parent(s), and arranges a permanent plan when return to the home is not possible
- All New Employees will complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program
- Learn treatment and preventive services
- Visit children in placement and conduct assessments of children and families
- Refer families and children to services in the community
- Participate in investigations of abuse and neglect of children, and prepare case reports and other documentation
- Attends court hearings and provides testimony
- Consults with the District Attorney and other attorneys, and tribal partners regarding efforts to protect the child, reunite the family or other permanent plans for the child
- Provides direct services to children in placement
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Travel is extensive - Must possess a valid driver's license and must maintain required car insurance. State vehicles will be available for use to carry out the duties of the position.