Social Services Associate - Valdez (PCN 069386)

State of Alaska•Valdez, AK

36d

About The Position

A Social Services Associate is a paraprofessional which bridges administrative with case support tasks primarily for the Valdez and Gakona field offices and will lend support to other field office as necessary. This position is located in the Valdez field office. You will be supporting professional staff by gathering information for assessments, case planning and evaluation, while performing duties that can include providing parenting support during family contact to enable parents to practice parenting skills in a safe environment, accessing electronic databases, and providing information to professional staff to make necessary referrals for families to other agencies. As a Social Services Associate you will work with families and children, helping to provide services that will enhance families' capacities to give their children a healthy start, to provide them with safe and permanent homes, to maintain cultural connections, and to help them realize their potential. The successful incumbent will be courteous, professional in language and presentation, calm, motivated, efficient, and have strong critical thinking skills. This position will require travel to provide support, escorting of clients, etc. for other field offices as needed. The Office of Children's Services requires staff to work overtime when deemed necessary. OCS Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters. The agency also supports healthy work/life balance for all staff. For more information: OCS Practice Model. 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. 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. Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values. Your first 6 months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on-the-job training with your supervisor and your colleagues.

Requirements

One year of any combination of postsecondary or vocational education and/or experience in assisting clients, customers, the general public, or other staff in the explanation and application of guidelines, policies, or services.
valid Alaska driver's license
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

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.
Customer/Quality Focus: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an effective, appropriate manner. Demonstrates commitment to identifying customers' apparent and underlying needs and continually seeks to provide the highest quality service and product to all customers.
Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Responsibilities

gathering information for assessments, case planning and evaluation
providing parenting support during family contact to enable parents to practice parenting skills in a safe environment
accessing electronic databases
providing information to professional staff to make necessary referrals for families to other agencies
helping to provide services that will enhance families' capacities to give their children a healthy start, to provide them with safe and permanent homes, to maintain cultural connections, and to help them realize their potential
travel to provide support, escorting of clients, etc. for other field offices as needed

Benefits

Insurance Benefits
Retirement Benefits
Paid Leave
twelve paid holidays per year
Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available
Group-based insurance premiums for
Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
Long-term and short-term disability
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
Supplemental Survivor Benefits
Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses
Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program