Protective Services Specialist 1/2 Juneau - Traveling (PCN 063048)

State of Alaska•Juneau, AK

40d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Protective Services Specialist (PSS), responsible for Child Protective Services in the Family Services Unit, the Investigations & Assessment Unit, or as a Generalist covering both. This position is based out of the Juneau Field Office, and incumbents will typically work two weeks in the office (50%) and spend two weeks traveling (50%) each month. This position is based out of Juneau, but casework is for all of Southeast Regional Field Offices which consist of Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Craig. Travel to villages or cities for placement or visitation varies based on regional needs. Successful applicants will start at level 1, or 2 depending on experience and qualifications. This case carrying positions offer a range of duties, including investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, and gathering information about family dynamics/functionality. The Protective Services Specialist will develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their protective factors, may be placing children with a relative or licensed foster home when applicable, 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, 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 Hope, Integrity, Respect and Empathy. 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 telework 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: This position is a region-wide position that covers Family Services and Investigations & Assessment or Generalist as needed. This position is based out of the Juneau Field Office, and incumbents will typically work two weeks in the office (50%) and spend two weeks traveling (50%) each month. Juneau is the hub community that also provides back up to our more rural offices in Southeast. Travel may involve small aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, or small boats to small villages or field offices. Travel to field offices is expected as allowed by budget constraints. Some of the small village communities are not equipped with modern conveniences, hotels, or bed and breakfasts thus the incumbent must be prepared to sleep in offices, schools, tribal community buildings or other accommodations as required. The work we perform is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve. As a result, the Office of Children's Services (OCS) works on evenings and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime and on-call work are expectations of our workers. OCS Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters. 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. For information on the Juneau community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles. Who We Are Looking For: We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies: 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) Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer work, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates how you possess the minimum required competencies for this position and be sure to thoroughly document it in your application.

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.
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.
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.
valid Alaska driver's license

Nice To Haves

Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
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.
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.
Advocacy (): Develops and presents the client's, patient's, and/or customer's interests in all matters.

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
develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their protective factors
placing children with a relative or licensed foster home when applicable
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