Child Protection Specialist (Region 3 - South Central)

State of Montana•Lewistown, MT

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 Region 3 in South Central Montana. The role focuses on improving the well-being of children and families by investigating child abuse and neglect reports, providing support and advocacy, and connecting families with resources. It involves complex and sometimes hostile situations requiring empathy, resiliency, and understanding of social systems. The specialist conducts child maltreatment assessments, manages case files and a caseload, collaborates with law enforcement and welfare professionals, participates in court and multidisciplinary processes, and arranges safe out-of-home placements when needed. The position also includes evaluating children's medical and psychological needs, preparing assessments and case plans, monitoring participant progress, and making and monitoring placements. Frequent travel, in-home visits, and interviews are required; travel may include out-of-state trips, so appropriate travel documents may be necessary. Although the position has a standard schedule, critical business needs may require evening, weekend, or holiday work. The specialist is assigned a rotating on-call schedule. The position may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor-set conditions and state policy. Work locations vary according to availability and community needs in the Region 3 cities of Billings, Lewistown, Roundup, Columbus, and Red Lodge.

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 remain calm and make sound, objective, critical decisions in high-stress situations, including when information from multiple sources is discrepant.
Ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances to gather sufficient information for accurate decisions.
Ability to develop constructive, cooperative working relationships, including with people who may be angry, 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.
Willingness to have appropriate travel documents for possible out-of-state travel.

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 child maltreatment reports in accordance with state and federal statutes 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, welfare professionals, and other agencies.
Prepare for and testify in court, preliminary hearings, multidisciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.
Arrange out-of-home care when necessary and ensure placements are safe, comply with statutory and policy preferences, and serve the children'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, design case plans, evaluate participant progress, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
Conduct in-home visits and interviews, with frequent travel that may include out-of-state travel.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and work evenings, weekends, or holidays when critical business needs require it.