Child Protection Specialist (Region 2 - North Central)

State of Montana • Conrad, MT

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Child Protection Specialist works within the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Child and Family Services Division, supporting the well-being of Montana families and helping keep children safe. The role involves direct engagement with families facing challenging circumstances, investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, providing support and advocacy, and connecting families and children with resources. It can involve complex and sometimes hostile situations requiring empathy, resilience, and understanding of social systems.

The position supports Region 2, which includes Great Falls, Conrad, Cut Bank, and Havre. Work locations vary according to availability and community needs. The role may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor approval and state policy. It requires frequent travel, home visits, and interviews, and may include out-of-state travel; appropriate travel documents may be required. Evening, weekend, and holiday work may be needed for critical business needs, and the employee will participate in a rotating on-call schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.
• Two years of social services or directly related work experience with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
• Ability to make critical decisions by integrating potentially discrepant information from multiple sources in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances and gather enough information to make accurate, precise decisions.
• Ability to remain calm when confronted and to develop and maintain constructive, cooperative working relationships, including with people who may be angry or violent or hold differing viewpoints.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment, including spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet, and other computer programs.
• Willingness to travel frequently, including potentially out of state, and to have appropriate travel documents.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays when required by critical business needs and to participate in a rotating on-call schedule.
• Submit a cover letter, resume, and references with the application; the cover letter must explain interest in the work and position and specify the preferred town.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of Native peoples.
• Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family-centered social work practice.
• Stress tolerance, self-management, sound decision-making, advocacy, and teamwork capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment in accordance with state and federal statutes, agency policy, standardized safety assessment tools, and decision-making guides.
• Carry a caseload and keep case file documentation current.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, welfare professionals, and other agencies.
• Prepare for and testify at court proceedings, preliminary hearings, multidisciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.
• Arrange out-of-home placements when necessary, ensuring placements are safe, comply with statutory and policy preferences, and serve the child’s best interests.
• Identify available resources and connect families and children to them.
• Ensure children are evaluated and assessed for medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Prepare assessments and case plans, evaluate participant progress, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
• Conduct frequent travel, home visits, and interviews; travel may include out-of-state trips.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and work evenings, weekends, or holidays when critical business needs require it.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Work/life balance
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level