Child Protection Specialist (Region 6 - Northwestern)

State of Montana • Kalispell, MT

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Child and Family Services Division. As a Child Protection Specialist, you will play a critical role in enhancing the well-being of Montana families. You will engage directly with families facing a wide range of challenges, investigating child abuse, providing support, advocacy, and connection to vital resources. This role is both rewarding and demanding. You will navigate complex, sometimes hostile, situations that require empathy, resiliency, and a deep understanding of social systems. While the path is not always easy, the difference you make is invaluable in Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong. This position supports the Child and Family Services Division Region 6 which includes the following cities: Kalispell, Thompson Falls, and Libby. Work locations will vary depending on availability and community needs. This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy. This position is open until filled with frequent screening of applicants. This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase July 1, 2026.

Requirements

• Required bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related degree.
• Two years of social services work experience, or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
• Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families, under difficult circumstances, to gather sufficient information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, even those who do not share the same point of view and may be violent or angry and maintain them over time.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions of this position, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.

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

• Conducts timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment, in accordance with requirements of state and federal statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides.
• Carries a caseload and keeps all case file documentation current.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies.
• Prepares for and testifies in court, preliminary hearings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.
• Places child(ren) in out-of-home care, when necessary, and ensures that the placement is safe and complies with statutory and policy preferences and is in the best interests of the child(ren).
• Identifies available resources and connects families and children to these resources.
• Assures child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Prepares assessments, designs case plans, evaluates the progress of participants, and makes and monitors appropriate placements.

Benefits

• healthcare coverage
• retirement plans
• paid vacation
• sick leave
• holidays
• work/life balance
• eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

What This Job Offers

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