Off Travel Rotation to Kotzebue (PCN 063418M)

State of Alaska•Kotzebue, AK

13d•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 1/2/3 Week On/Off Travel Rotation to Kotzebue. This position is responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services Unit, the Investigations & Assessment Unit, or as Generalist covering. This position is based out of Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Wasilla, Alaska, requiring travel to Kotzebue, Alaska and surrounding rural locations, villages, and communities in the Northern Region. This case carrying position offers 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, 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, with travel as required dependent on the client location, and making referrals to other service providers and agencies. 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. The 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 may be an option upon eligibility.

Requirements

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications: Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving, Customer Service, Integrity, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Writing, Technical Credibility
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

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.
Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

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