Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Helena)

State of Montana • Helena, MT

2d

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 work with families facing a wide range of challenges. The role investigates child abuse and provides support, advocacy, and connections to resources. It involves navigating complex and sometimes hostile situations and requires empathy, resiliency, and an understanding of social systems.

The specialist assesses reports of child maltreatment, manages and documents a caseload, collaborates with partner agencies and professionals, and prepares for and testifies in court and other meetings. The role may involve placing children in out-of-home care, identifying and connecting families with resources, ensuring children receive medical and psychological assessments, and preparing and monitoring case plans and placements.

The position requires frequent travel, home visits, and interviews; travel may be out of state and requires appropriate travel documents. Although the position has a standard schedule, critical business needs may require evening, weekend, or holiday work. A rotating on-call schedule is assigned. The position may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor-defined 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 handle high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Ability to set realistic goals, show initiative and commitment, complete assignments promptly, work with minimal supervision, and act responsibly.
• Ability to make sound, objective decisions using information from multiple sources, including discrepant information, in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families in difficult circumstances to gather sufficient information for accurate decisions.
• Ability to remain calm when confronted and maintain constructive working relationships, including with people who may be angry or violent.
• Ability to advocate for clients’ and youths’ interests.
• Ability to cooperate with others and work toward shared goals.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment, including spreadsheet, word-processing, database, email, and internet programs.
• Willingness to travel frequently, including potentially out of state, and to have appropriate travel documents.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays when critical business needs require it and to participate in rotating on-call coverage.

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 laws 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, welfare professionals, and other agencies.
• Prepare for and testify in court, preliminary hearings, multidisciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.
• Place children in out-of-home care when necessary, ensuring placements are safe, compliant with statutory and policy preferences, and in the children’s best interests.
• Identify available resources and connect families and children to them.
• Ensure children are evaluated and assessed to determine their 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 as required.
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule.

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