Social Services Associate Ketchikan (PCN 063966)

State of Alaska•Ketchikan, AK

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is an administrative role supporting professional staff within the Office of Children's Services (OCS) in Ketchikan, Alaska. The Social Services Associate will gather information for assessments, case planning, and evaluation. Duties include providing parenting support during family contact, accessing electronic databases, and making referrals to other agencies. The role involves working with families and children to enhance their capacities for a healthy start, safe and permanent homes, cultural connections, and realizing their potential. The successful candidate will be courteous, professional, calm, motivated, efficient, and possess strong critical thinking skills. This position requires occasional travel (0-2 times per month or 0-2 times per year) within the day or overnight stays, depending on casework needs. Overtime may be required when necessary, and OCS staff are considered essential, expected to work during pandemics and natural disasters. The agency supports a healthy work/life balance.

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.
Background check.
Fingerprinting.
Child protective history check.
Ability to travel 0-2 times a month or 0-2 times a year, potentially involving overnight stays and small aircraft.
Ability to work evenings, weekends, overtime, on-call hours, through pandemics/natural disasters, and holidays as needed.
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 Service: Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
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.
Must provide a copy of college/academic transcripts if using education to meet minimum qualifications/competencies.
Must provide a list of three (3) professional references including daytime telephone numbers and email address; at least two (2) of these must be from a current or former supervisor.
Must possess current automotive insurance if using a personal vehicle for work-related matters.
Must be able to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage.

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.
Working with families and children to enhance their capacities for a healthy start, safe and permanent homes, cultural connections, and realizing their potential.
Working overtime when deemed necessary.
Working during pandemics and other natural disasters as an essential employee.