Protective Services Specialist 1/2 Juneau (PCN 063956)

State of Alaska•Juneau, AK

41d•Hybrid

About The Position

Protective Services Specialist (PSS) will be responsible for all aspects of Child Protection Services. Depending on the needs of the units, the positions will be in the Investigations & Assessment Unit, the Family Services unit, or as Generalist Unit covering both. This position has a wide range of duties, including investigating reports of abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, gathering information about family dynamics/functioning, developing plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors, placing children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary, providing ongoing and/or in-home services to families, coordinating referrals to other service providers and agencies, writing and submitting reports to the Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody, and making referrals to other service providers and agencies. For more information: OCS Practice Model Mission and Values/Culture: The Mission of the Office of Children's Services is: Ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes. The Office of Children's Services is dedicated to a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount. Employees all contribute to building a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully. Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values. Benefits of Joining Our Team: The Office of Children's Services is committed to an organizational culture that values each team member. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate and value the diversity of our employees, partners, and families we serve. Your first twelve months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal virtual training, on-the-job training with your supervisor, and with other colleagues. While this is a field-based position that involves working in the community, part-time teleworking within the duty station is an option upon eligibility. Full-time benefits of this position include but are not limited to: Insurance Benefits; Retirement Benefits; Paid Leave; and twelve paid holidays per year. Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information. The Working Environment You Can Expect: These positions are in the Juneau Field Office. Juneau is the hub community that also provides back up to our rural offices in Southeast Alaska. The work performed is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve. As a result, Office of Children's services works on evenings, and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime and on-call work are expectations of our workers. This position requires travel in the Southeast Region, 0 - 2 times per month or 0 - 2 times a year. Travel to villages or cities for placement or visitation varies based on regional needs. Travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft or other forms of transportation. Dependent on casework needs some travel may include day trips or require overnight stays. Our teams are based around having a strong work ethic and high ethical standards, believing in treating all people with dignity and respect, as well as being self-motivated, organized and honest. We are all about getting the job done while still contributing to a positive, upbeat work environment. Office of Children's Services Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters. Starting as a level 1 (trainee) or 2 (journey) is dependent on experience and qualification. For information on the Juneau community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.

Requirements

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in: Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one's knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
equivalent to those typically gained by Training in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles.
equivalent to those typically gained by Training in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or progressively responsible professional experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles.
All positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check.

Nice To Haves

Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations). (Level 1)
Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. (Level 1)
Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. (Level 2)
Advocacy (): Develops and presents the client's, patient's, and/or customer's interests in all matters. (Level 2)

Responsibilities

investigating reports of abuse and/or neglect
preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others
gathering information about family dynamics/functioning
developing plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors
placing children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary
providing ongoing and/or in-home services to families
coordinating referrals to other service providers and agencies
writing and submitting reports to the Court
working closely with Tribal/Community Partners
frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody
making referrals to other service providers and agencies

Benefits

Insurance Benefits
Retirement Benefits
Paid Leave
twelve paid holidays per year
Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available
Group-based insurance premiums for
Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
Long-term and short-term disability
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
Supplemental Survivor Benefits
Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
Twelve (12) paid holidays a year