Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Southwest)

State of Montana • Butte, MT

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Child and Family Services Division, is hiring a Child Protection Specialist to support families and help keep children safe. The position investigates reports of child maltreatment, engages with families facing difficult circumstances, and provides support, advocacy, and connections to resources. The work can involve complex and sometimes hostile situations and calls for empathy, resiliency, and an understanding of social systems.

The role includes conducting assessments, maintaining a caseload and case documentation, coordinating with partner agencies, preparing for and participating in court and multidisciplinary meetings, arranging safe out-of-home placements when necessary, and monitoring children’s medical and psychological needs. It requires frequent travel, home visits, and interviews, and may involve out-of-state travel. Although the position has a standard schedule, critical business needs may require evening, weekend, or holiday work. The specialist also participates in a rotating on-call schedule.

The position supports Child and Family Services Division Region 4, which includes Butte, Bozeman, Anaconda, Livingston, and Dillon. Work locations vary based on availability and community needs. The role may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor-provided conditions and state policy.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field.
• Two years of social services or directly related work experience working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
• Ability to make critical decisions by integrating information from multiple sources, including discrepant information, in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances and gather sufficient information to make accurate and 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 different viewpoints.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment, including spreadsheet, word-processing, database, email, internet, and other computer programs.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently for home visits and interviews, 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.
• Stress tolerance, self-management, sound decision-making, advocacy, and teamwork skills.

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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment in accordance with state and federal laws and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides.
• Carry a caseload and keep case-file documentation current.
• Work collaboratively with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies.
• Prepare for and testify in court; participate in 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 with them.
• Ensure children are evaluated and assessed to determine their medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Prepare assessments and case plans, evaluate participants’ progress, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
• Conduct home visits and interviews and travel frequently, potentially including out-of-state travel.
• 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