Social Services Associate - Ketchikan (PCN 063966)

State of Alaska • Ketchikan, AK

9d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is open to All Applicants. The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Social Services Associate (SSA) located in Ketchikan, Alaska. A Social Services Associate is an administrative position. 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 traveling 0-2 times a month or 0-2 times a year and varies based on casework needs. Travel may be within the day or overnight stays. 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 a healthy work/life balance for all staff. 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. 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 12 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 public, or other staff in the explanation and application of guidelines, policies, or services.
• Courteous, professional in language and presentation, calm, motivated, efficient, and have strong critical thinking skills.
• 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.
• A valid Alaska driver's license.
• A background check.
• Fingerprinting.
• A child protective history check will be performed per AS 12.62.160 and/or 13 AAC 68.315 including a background and fingerprint check.
• Must have current automotive insurance if using a personal vehicle for work-related matters.
• Must certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Copy of college/academic transcripts with your application if you will be using education to meet the minimum qualifications and/or competencies desired for the position.
• 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.

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 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.

Benefits

• Insurance Benefits
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Leave
• Twelve paid holidays per year
• Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work-related matters.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree