Resource Home Certifier (Social Service Specialist 1)
About The Position
The Oregon Department of Human Services is hiring a Resource Home Certifier to support families who open their homes to children in need. The role engages with diverse applicants, learns their stories, and assesses their readiness to provide safe, supportive homes. The position recruits, assesses, and supports resource, adoptive, and caregiver applicants and families, and coordinates with legal partners, service providers, and internal teams to support placements and permanency outcomes. The work takes place in the office, participants’ homes, and community locations. Frequent travel is required, with occasional overnight travel possible. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time, although hours may fluctuate with service needs. Occasional compensated overtime, including evenings and weekends, may be required.
Requirements
- A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- A completed bachelor’s degree in human services or a field related to human service; or a completed bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field plus one year of human-services-related experience or coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
- Alternatively, an associate degree plus two years of human-services-related experience, or one year of human-services-related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
- Degree requirements must be completed; a degree in progress does not meet the minimum qualifications.
- Experience gathering information through active listening, asking clarifying questions, and accurately documenting information.
- Experience reviewing information, applying policies or guidelines, and making decisions based on documented facts.
- Experience prioritizing tasks, managing competing deadlines, and maintaining accurate records across multiple cases or work assignments.
- Experience communicating clearly in writing and verbally with diverse audiences, including discussing sensitive or complex topics.
Responsibilities
- Recruit, assess, and engage resource, adoptive, and caregiver applicants from diverse backgrounds, including interviewing families and inspecting homes.
- Prepare home studies, documentation, and certification recommendations, ensuring families meet safety and suitability standards.
- Provide ongoing support and training to resource and adoptive families, and check home conditions, family dynamics, and placement support plans.
- Participate in recruitment activities, outreach events, case staffing, and planning meetings.
- Prepare reports, maintain required documentation, and provide testimony or recommendations in court or administrative proceedings.
- Coordinate with legal partners, service providers, and internal teams to support placements and permanency outcomes.
Benefits
- ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
- Cost-of-living adjustments.
- Annual salary increases until the top of the listed salary range is reached.
- Benefits package.
- Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
