Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) | Bilingual English/Spanish required

Initial posting date: 07/31/2026 • Application deadline: 08/09/2026 • Agency: Department of Human Services • Salary range: $4,954 - $7,592

About the Role

The Oregon Department of Human Services is seeking a Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) | Bilingual English/Spanish required to join our dedicated Child Welfare team in Hillsboro. This position is bilingual and requires duties to be carried out in both English and Spanish. The job offer will be contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in the bilingual requirements of the position. This position may receive a 5% differential pay based on passing the required language test.

As a Permanency Caseworker, you will be at the heart of our mission—connecting with families, navigating their unique stories, and helping create lasting change for Oregon's children and communities. Permanency caseworkers specialize in working with children, families, and resource parents to ensure children are safe in their homes, including assuring a child's physical, psychological, and social well-being with the goal of reuniting families or finding alternate, permanent plans when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the child’s safety and well-being through regular communication.
• Help the child adapt, evaluate progress in development and treatment requirements, discuss upcoming changes, and prepare the child for transitions.
• Arrange visits between children in care and their parents and other family members; actively monitor these visits and offer necessary guidance.
• Attend Child Safety meetings and collaborate with Child Protective Services Workers and families to develop safety plans for children.
• Provide case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents and children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Collaborate with parents and schools to evaluate the child’s academic progress and achievement of goals.
• Communicate expectations, planned contacts, and timelines with families in community and family home settings.
• Engage in preparation and presentation of cases in juvenile court hearings.
• Provide time-limited case management and intervention services to children in substitute care and children remaining safely in their own homes.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR
• A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either:
  • One year of Human Services related experience; OR
  • Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency; OR
  • An Associate Degree AND either:
    • Two years of Human Services related experience; OR
    • One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish (proficiency test required).
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Per ORS 419B.021, any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across teams and with community partners to achieve positive outcomes by organizing work effectively, balancing competing priorities, and fostering strong professional relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally through written, verbal, and electronic communication while utilizing case management systems, document management software, and other technology.
• Experience advocating for safety, permanency, and well-being in ways that honor each person’s unique story and strengths.
• Demonstrates curiosity, humility, and willingness to learn from people with diverse identities, cultural histories, lived experiences, and worldviews.
• Experience identifying problems and solutions through a trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach.
• Experience in a social services related field providing services and resources to children and families.

Working Conditions

• Work Locations: Offices, homes of participants, and community sites.
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Hours may fluctuate daily and weekly to meet service needs, including some evening and weekend work and compensated overtime.
• On-Call: Part of a rotating on-call schedule that includes evenings and weekends.
• Travel: Occasional travel for meetings, training, and other case-related activities, including occasional overnight travel.
• Physical Requirements: Frequent physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds and assisting children with car seats.
• Emotional Demands: Handling sensitive topics related to trauma, abuse, and crises, requiring a trauma-informed approach. You may interact with individuals who have experienced trauma and may have difficulty managing their emotions. Be prepared for stressful situations that require quick decision-making to ensure safety for yourself and others.

Background Checks and Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, a criminal history and background check will be conducted. Adverse findings may lead to disqualification.
• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.
• Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm work authorization.
• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Employment preference for eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers.

This is a permanent, full-time position represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.