Child Protection Specialist (Region 3 - South Central)

State of Montana • Billings, 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 for Region 3, which includes Billings, Lewistown, Roundup, Columbus, and Red Lodge. The role supports Montana families by investigating child abuse, providing support and advocacy, and connecting children and families with resources. It involves complex and sometimes hostile situations requiring empathy, resiliency, and understanding of social systems.

The position may be eligible for partial telework within Montana, subject to supervisor-defined conditions and state policy. Work locations vary based on availability and community needs. The role requires frequent travel and in-home visits and interviews; out-of-state travel may be required, so the employee must be willing to have appropriate travel documents. Although there is a standard schedule, critical business needs may require work evenings, weekends, or holidays. The position also includes a rotating on-call schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or a 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 deal calmly and effectively with high-stress situations, including tight deadlines, hostile individuals, and emergencies.
• Ability to set realistic goals, show initiative and commitment, complete assignments in a timely manner, work with minimal supervision, and demonstrate responsible behavior.
• Ability to make sound, well-informed, objective decisions; understand their impacts and implications; and act in uncertain situations to accomplish organizational goals.
• Ability to advocate for clients’ and youths’ interests.
• Ability to encourage cooperation, trust, and commitment 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 sufficient information for accurate and precise decisions.
• Ability to remain calm when confronted and to develop and maintain constructive, cooperative working relationships, including with people who disagree or may be angry or violent.
• 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 potential out-of-state travel.
• Submit a cover letter, resume, and references with the state application; applicants must mark each attachment as a relevant document.

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.
• 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.
• Place children in 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 to determine their medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Prepare assessments, design case plans, evaluate participant progress, and make and monitor appropriate placements.
• Conduct frequent in-home visits and interviews and travel as needed, including potentially out of state.
• 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