Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) – Multiple Positions (West Portland)

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Opportunity awaits! Step into a transformative role where your passion for the well-being of children and your ability to connect with families come together to create lasting change. Become a catalyst for positive impact in the lives of Oregon’s children and their loved ones. Are you ready to unlock the potential within every family—and make a real difference? We are seeking to fill multiple Child Protective Services Worker (Social Services Specialist 1) positions in our West Portland offices, located at N Webster Street and David Street. Please visit our Equal Pay Analysis page to learn more about how we evaluate employee compensation, and to access our Equal Pay Calculator - needs to say Westside Portland Offices Summary of Duties As an employee working within the Child Welfare Program , you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and families. Your dedication will help us achieve the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation that will support children and young adults to be safer, healthier, experience less trauma and achieve a greater well-being.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either One (1) year of Human Services related experience; OR Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency; OR An associate degree AND either: Two (2) years of Human Services related experience; OR One (1) year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions.
Degree must be completed, not in progress.
Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities.
Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases for judicial proceedings.
Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.
Experience adapting communication style to ensure clarity and foster understanding amongst diverse audiences such as public speaking, individual client inquiries, court testimonies, and attorneys and judges.
Experience navigating technology, inputting and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases to verify information accurately.
Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.
Experience with case management which includes assessing individual needs, developing and implementing personalized action plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support.
A cover letter is required (limit: 2 pages or less). Clearly describe how you meet the essential attributes listed above in your cover letter.
Your resume (optional) and cover letter (required) may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials.
Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process and will be used to determine your starting salary range if you are selected as a final candidate.
Please include detailed work history that includes the month/year start date and month/year end date for each role/job.
If applicable for college degrees, please clearly indicate if a degree has been completed when providing educational history (graduation dates are not required).
If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process.
The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification.
Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.
Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred.
Gather information through interviews with parents and children.
Observe and analyze the safety of home environments.
Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers.
Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases.
Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
Present and testify in court.