Hotline Screener (Social Service Specialist 1) Job-Share

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Human Services 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. Are you fluent in English and Spanish? Our diverse communities benefit from bilingual support. While not a requirement, preference will be given to candidates who possess this valuable skill. These positions are primarily remote. Please see please see “Working Conditions” section for more information. This position is a job-share, which means the hours are split with another current Position. The schedule for this job-share position is Wednesday and Saturday 1 PM - Midnight PST. Opportunity awaits! Help create safer futures for Oregon’s children. Bring your compassion and critical-thinking skills to ODHS as a Hotline Screener (Social Service Specialist 1).

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in human services or a field related to human service.
Or A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and either: One 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 years of Human Services related experience.
Or One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
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 conducting interviews to gather information that informs critical analysis and decision-making.
Experience using critical thinking to assess complex situations under pressure and make appropriate decisions.
Experience using behavior management or conflict resolution techniques to de-escalate situations.
Experience providing equitable service to diverse communities and people.
Experience reading or writing reports that include conclusions and recommended actions.
Experience applying and explaining rules, policies and procedures.
Experience using technology and digital tools to complete tasks accurately and within required timelines.

Nice To Haves

Fluent in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Serve as the first point of contact in our work to keep children safe.
Provide thoughtful, empathetic support to reporters and make decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of children.
Talk with reporters to collect detailed, relevant information about the child, the alleged abuse or neglect, and the family’s circumstances.
Gather and assess information from reports about child safety concerns, then choose the appropriate next action. (ORCAH often receives more than 600 calls within a 24-hour period).
Assess whether the family may benefit from services such as protective support, family support, or community programs.
Create accurate written reports that include both the information collected and your rationale for each decision.
Follow Oregon statutes, administrative rules, and ODHS procedures to determine if a report meets the criteria for further review.