3 - Fairbanks (PCN 064558M)

State of Alaska•Fairbanks, AK

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Family & Community Services is recruiting for Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3 in Fairbanks! This job class uses Competency Based minimum qualifications (MQs). This position is open to All Applicants. As a Protective Services Specialist (PSS), responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services unit, the Investigations & Assessment unit, or as Generalist covering both. This case carrying position has a wide range of duties, including investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect, prepare plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, and gather information about family dynamics/functionality, develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors, place children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary, provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families, write and submit reports to the Court, work closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody and make referrals to other service providers and agencies. OCS has opportunities across several units. During the hiring process, we work with applicants to match them with a position that best aligns with their strengths, experience, and interests. Strong writing skills, the ability to manage your workload independently, and a collaborative approach are important in ensuring the safety and well-being of children throughout Alaska. Child protection work can involve making critical decisions in urgent situations. Staff must be prepared to respond quickly and confidently to protect children and maintain their own safety, including in situations that may involve potential physical risk. 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 strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount and employees at all levels promote 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. 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 may be an option upon eligibility. The Office of Children’s Services Fairbanks Field Office is in Fairbanks. The typical workweek may include some caseworker visits at school or in resource family homes, virtual and in-person court attendance, and working independently in an office setting. The work we perform is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve. As a result, the Office of Children's Services (OCS) requires staff to work after hours and on-call, work in the evenings and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime is also an expectation when deemed necessary. Frequency of travel is expected to be 4+ times a month for a duration of 1 day with the occasional overnight. There may be day trips and occasional overnight stays in rural conditions with some exposure to extreme weather conditions in the winter. Travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft and overnight stays. Child protection work requires traveling both on the road system as well as required travel on small planes to rural villages in Alaska, often located significant distances apart in isolated communities.

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.
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.
Some or all of the following position specific competencies: Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork
Must answer Supplemental Questions
Must complete the “References” section in the application with contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies, in which one (1) of the three (3) references must be a current or former direct supervisor.
Must fill in the Education section of the application.
Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials being used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position and are required with each application.
Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application.

Nice To Haves

Strong writing skills
Ability to manage your workload independently
Collaborative approach

Responsibilities

Investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect
Prepare plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others
Gather information about family dynamics/functionality
Develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors
Place children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary
Provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families
Write and submit reports to the Court
Work closely with Tribal/Community Partners
Frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody
Make referrals to other service providers and agencies