Child Welfare Specialist I/II/III - Roving Unit

About the role

This position is located in Muskogee, 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 annually + Full State Employee Benefits
• Level II (H23B): $40,077.79 annually + Full State Employee Benefits
• Level III (H23C): $43,968.62 annually + Full State Employee Benefits
• Master's Degree in Social Work: additional 5% salary incentive
• On-call positions: additional bonus of $100–$150 every two weeks depending on responsibilities

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); OR
• One year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist

Child Welfare Specialist, Level III

• A Master's degree; OR
• A Bachelor's degree plus one year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist; OR
• Two years of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist

Responsibilities

Serves within a specialized Roving Unit located in Region 4, assisting with vacant workloads due to extended leave and vacant positions based on the needs of the Region. This position's 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

Core Duties (All New Employees)

• 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
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony
• Consult 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
• Provide direct services to children in placement
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Travel is EXTENSIVE — must possess a valid driver's license and maintain required car insurance
• State vehicles will be available for use to carry out the duties of the position

Schedule

• Hours worked may include on-call, extended, and/or weekend hours

Benefits

• Full State Employee Benefits (included at all salary levels)

Announcement Number: 26-KM237