Child Protection Specialist (Region 6 - Northwestern)

State of Montana • Libby, MT

11h

About The Position

The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services’ Child and Family Services Division is hiring a Child Protection Specialist for Region 6 in northwestern Montana. The role focuses on improving the well-being of Montana families by investigating reports of child abuse and maltreatment, supporting and advocating for families, and connecting children and families with resources. The work can involve complex and sometimes hostile situations and requires empathy, resilience, and an understanding of social systems.

The position serves communities in Region 6, including Kalispell, Thompson Falls, and Libby. Work locations vary according to availability and community needs. The role may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor-defined conditions and state policy. It requires frequent travel, home visits, and interviews, and may involve out-of-state travel. A rotating on-call schedule is assigned, and critical business needs may require work during evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Applicants must submit a state application, cover letter, resume, and references through the Montana State Careers website. The cover letter should explain the applicant’s interest in and passion for the work. Successful applicants must pass relevant background and reference checks.

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 handle high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Ability to set realistic goals, show initiative and commitment, complete assignments on time, work with minimal supervision, and demonstrate responsible behavior.
• Ability to make sound, objective, well-informed decisions and act in uncertain situations.
• Ability to advocate for clients’ and youths’ interests.
• Ability to encourage cooperation and work with others to achieve goals.
• 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 to gather information for accurate decisions.
• Ability to remain calm when confronted and build constructive working relationships 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 obtain appropriate travel documents for potential out-of-state travel.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays when critical business needs require it and participate in a rotating on-call schedule.
• Successful completion of relevant background checks and reference checks.

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 statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides.
• Carry a caseload and keep case file documentation current.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies.
• Prepare for and testify in court, 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 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 and case plans, evaluate participant progress, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
• Conduct home visits and interviews and travel frequently, potentially including out-of-state travel.

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