What are the responsibilities and job description for the Generalist Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) position at Department of Human Services?
Initial Posting Date:
01/28/2025
Application Deadline:
02/12/2025
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,833 - $7,407
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Generalist Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1)
Job Description:
The
Oregon Department of Human Services
is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star
and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture
that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
Opportunity awaits! Picture yourself as the advocate for children! Your mission is to protect their futures while addressing the needs of families and adhering to legal obligations. With each home visit and report you complete; you’re making a significant impact on the lives of children in Oregon.
Our Office of Child Welfare is seeking to fill a Social Service Specialist 1 position in the Curry County! In this role, you will work directly with families with whom you will be able to share and celebrate successes. Come join us in doing this important work!
Your primary work location could be housed in either Gold Beach or Brookings and will be dependent on where the top candidate resides.
Summary of Duties
As an employee working within the
Child Welfare Program
, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and families. Your dedication will help us achieve the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation
that will support children and young adults to be safer, healthier, experience less trauma and achieve a greater well-being.
As a Generalist Caseworker, you will:
- Perform the work of a Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, Permanency Worker, Family Engagement Facilitator, and/or Resource Home Certifier. All Social Service Specialist 1 employees can be tasked to any of these specializations based on business need.
- Conduct child safety assessments of alleged child abuse or neglect to determine if a child has been or is at risk of being harmed.
- Engage with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers in a multitude of ways to achieve safety, permanency and well-being of children.
- Identify and seek relative caregivers, resource parents, and adoptive parents.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human service.
OR
A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and either:
- One year of Human Services related experience; or
- Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
OR
An associate degree and either:
- 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.
Essential Attributes
We are looking for candidates with:
- Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and with a team.
- Experience utilizing time management, organization, and prioritization skills to meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly, thoroughly, and concisely with minimal spelling or grammar issues.
- Experience working well with people from a wide variety of backgrounds through a culturally competent lens.
- Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
Attention all candidates! Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.
Note: “The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.”
Working Conditions
- Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites. Your primary work location could be housed in either of these cities and will be dependent on where the top candidate resides.
- You will have frequent local travel. Occasional travel may be hours away. On rare occasions, you will have overnight travel. The purpose of travel will be to transport children and connect with family members.
- You will interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.
- You may encounter stressful situations that require quick decision-making to ensure safety of yourself and others. The duties in this position include working with challenging and sometimes hostile clients.
- A valid Driver’s License from the state in which the employee resides.
- This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal workday of 8 hours, from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, working hours may be adjusted within a given week, to provide planned services. Occasional compensated overtime will be required, including evening, overnight or weekend hours may be required.
Background Checks and Requirements
- 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.
Benefits
- ODHS Employee Resource Groupcommunities that promote shared learning.
- Cost of Living Adjustments.
- Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
- Amazingbenefits package.
- Possible eligibility for thePublic Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Employment Preference
Veterans’ preference:
- Veterans’ preference information.
- How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.
Malheur County preference:
- If your primary residence is in Malheur County, you may choose to receive 5 percent preference points. The application process includes a required question where you can indicate if you’d like to receive preference or not.
General Information
- 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.
Contact Information
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 Sugei Hernandez. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-173567
- Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov
- Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675.
