3 Sitka or Juneau (PCN 069374)

State of Alaska•See Recruitment Details, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS), is recruiting a full-time Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3 for its Sitka or Juneau Field Office. The position is open to Alaska residents and is flexibly staffed; the level of the offer depends on the candidate’s demonstrated competencies. A candidate hired at a lower level may be promoted after completing training and demonstrating competency. The first 12 months are a probationary training period that includes formal virtual training and on-the-job training with a supervisor and colleagues. The position provides Child Protection Services in a Family Services unit, an Investigations & Assessment unit, or as a generalist covering both. It is a case-carrying, region-wide role serving Southeast Alaska field offices in Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Craig. Duties include investigating reports of child abuse or neglect, assessing family circumstances, developing plans to ensure child safety, and helping parents address protective factors. The specialist may arrange placement with relatives or licensed foster homes, provide ongoing or in-home services, prepare court reports, work with Tribal and community partners, maintain frequent in-person and telephone contact with parents and caregivers, and make referrals to service providers and agencies. The position is field-based and involves community work. Part-time telework within the duty station may be available upon eligibility. Sitka-based travel varies with casework and regional needs, typically ranging from zero to two trips per month or per year; trips are mostly day trips, with occasional overnight stays. A Juneau-based employee typically spends two weeks in the office and two weeks traveling each month, with travel at least 50% of the time in Sitka and occasional day trips and overnight trips to other Southeast communities. Travel may include villages and outlying areas, small aircraft, and overnight stays. The work may require evenings, weekends, overtime, and on-call availability. State vehicles may not always be available; mileage reimbursement is available for work-related use of a personal vehicle, which must have current automotive insurance. OCS’s mission is to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes. The agency describes its workplace as committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, safety, respect, and equitable treatment. The position requires a valid Real ID Alaska driver's license and a child protective history check, including background and fingerprint checks. The successful candidate may need to attend training courses, normally in Anchorage.

Requirements

Competencies in analytical thinking/problem solving, customer service, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, oral communication, writing, and technical credibility.
Competencies may be gained through training in social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field, and/or experience providing assistance, information, or referrals related to social services, health care, or legal services; child, adult, family, or group case management; licensing; probation services; or care or services to delinquent juveniles.
A valid Real ID Alaska driver's license is required.
Must undergo a child protective history check, including background and fingerprint checks.
Applicants using education to meet minimum qualifications must document their education in the application and provide transcripts; foreign education must meet the stated equivalency documentation requirements.
Applicants must complete the supplemental questions and provide at least three references, including one current or former direct supervisor.
Candidates must be Alaska residents.
The role requires availability for evening, weekend, overtime, and on-call work.
Current automotive insurance is required before using a personal vehicle for State business.

Nice To Haves

Progressively responsible professional experience in social services, health care, or legal services; child, adult, family, or group case management; licensing; probation services; or care or services to delinquent juveniles.
Position-specific strengths in self-management, stress tolerance, and teamwork.
Experience or competencies relevant to work with diverse communities and Tribal/community partners.

Responsibilities

Investigate reports of child abuse and/or neglect.
Gather information about family dynamics and functionality.
Prepare intervention plans by seeking cooperation from families and others.
Develop plans to ensure child safety while helping parents address protective factors.
Arrange placement of children with relatives or licensed foster homes when applicable.
Provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families.
Write and submit reports to the court.
Work closely with Tribal and community partners.
Maintain frequent face-to-face and telephone contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody.
Refer families to other service providers and agencies.
Provide Child Protection Services in Family Services, Investigations & Assessment, or as a generalist covering both.
Travel to serve cases and regional needs across Southeast Alaska field office communities.