Child Protective Services (CPS) (Social Service Specialist 1)

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As a Child Protective Services Worker, you will:

• Safety & Wellbeing: You play a crucial part in helping families achieve their goals while ensuring the safety and well-being of children. 
• Engagement: You engage with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers in various ways to promote safety, permanency, and optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families. 
• Assessment and Interviews: Conduct assessment and fact-finding interviews related to child safety, risk of abuse, neglect, or harm. You will also address necessary care and needs levels of the children and families. 
• Strategies: You develop and implement multi-level strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas for improvement. 
• Decision-Making: Analyzing collected information, you will determine child safety, considering each family’s unique circumstances. 
• Communication: You will create reports, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations in office, community, or legal settings.

• Work will take place in offices, participants’ homes, and various community locations.
• Frequent travel is required for case‑related activities, which may include transporting children and/or families.
• Rare overnight travel may be required.
• The work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm PT, with possible fluctuations based on service needs.
• When child safety needs arise, compensated overtime, including evening and weekend hours will be required.
• The employee will participate in a rotating on‑call schedule that includes evening and weekend work.
• You may interact with individuals experiencing trauma or emotional distress, and there may be times when individuals have difficulty managing their emotional responses.
• You may encounter situations requiring quick decision‑making to ensure your safety or the safety of others.
• Activities may include traversing stairs, moving across uneven terrain, and assisting children (up to 50 pounds) in and out of car seats.
• Work and travel may occur in hazardous weather conditions such as snow, ice, or elevated heat.

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.
• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check. 
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.    

Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress.

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR

A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either

1) One year of Human Services related experience; OR

2) Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon

Caseworker Competency; OR

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience explaining complex rules and guidelines in simple clear language.
• Experience asking questions to collect key details, assessing needs, and providing appropriate support.
• Experience working with people from different backgrounds, partnering with community groups and organizations to provide resources or services.
• Experience with quickly assesses urgency, prioritizes accurately, and ensures immediate needs are addressed while maintaining overall workflow.

Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference:

• Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  
• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Tammie Moore. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ 207887
• Email: Tammie.L.Moore@odhs.oregon.gov
• Phone (call or text): 971-201-0580