Protective Services Specialist 1/2 - Wasilla (PCN 069330M)

State of Alaska • Wasilla, AK

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Protective Service Specialist 1/2 in Wasilla, Alaska. This position is responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services Unit, the Investigations & Assessment Unit, or as Generalist covering both. The role requires travel throughout the South-Central Region up to a week at a time, approximately one to two trips per month, potentially by plane, boat, or four-wheeler, including overnight stays with per-diem and accommodation paid by the State. Duties include investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect, preparing intervention plans, gathering information about family dynamics, developing plans to ensure child safety, placing children out of the home when necessary, providing ongoing services, writing and submitting reports to Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers, and making referrals to other service providers. The Office of Children's Services' mission is ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes. The agency is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and respected.

Requirements

• Competency 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.
• Competency in Customer Service: Works with clients and customers 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.
• Competency in 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.
• Competency in 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.
• Competency in Oral Communication: Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Competency in Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• 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.
• 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.
• Valid Real ID Alaska driver's license
• Successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check
• Child protective history check will be performed per AS 12.62.160 and/or 13 AAC 68.315 including a background and fingerprint check.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to travel in the South-Central Region 1-2 times per month and up to a week at a time.
• Ability to travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft or other forms of transportation and overnight stays.
• Ability to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage.

Responsibilities

• Investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect
• Preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others
• Gathering information about family dynamics/functionality
• 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
• Provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families
• Writing and submitting reports to 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
• Per-diem and accommodation paid by the State for travel
• Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work-related matters.
• Relocation reimbursement costs may be provided by the State of Alaska.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed