What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) position at Department of Human Services?
Initial Posting Date:
01/06/2025
Application Deadline:
01/21/2025
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,536.00 - $6,952.00 USD Monthly
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Permanency 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! Imagine having an opportunity to build rapport with families, understand their uniqueness, and learn about how each family functions. As a Permanency Worker, you will have an opportunity to make a positive impact on Oregonians in need of support and resources. If you are looking to make a difference, this Permanency Worker position may be for you!
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 Permanency Worker, you will:
- Play a crucial part in helping families achieve their goals while ensuring the safety and well-being of children.
- Engage and build rapport with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers to foster safety, permanency, and positive outcomes for Oregon's families.
- Design and implement strategies that capitalize on family strengths and address areas needing improvement.
- Conduct home visits, perform risk and safety assessments, attend court hearings, and collaborate with families to create and execute comprehensive case plans.
- Navigate legal requirements to balance the needs of children and families effectively.
- Deliver culturally appropriate services that honor diversity in culture, language, national origin, socioeconomic status, race, age, disability, developmental stage, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other aspects of diversity.
Minimum Qualifications
A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
- 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:
- Experience assessing the safety of children and protective capacities of parents or caregivers while working with families on concurrent plans.
- Experience with trauma informed practices that are inclusive of the child and family's language, race, and culture.
- Experience in interview children and adults to gather information which may include having difficult conversations about sensitive topics.
- Experience in sharing complex information to clients, co-workers, law enforcement and in court in a clear and concise manner.
- Experience in tracking and prioritizing multiple unrelated projects/cases.
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
- This is an in-person position. Your work will be conducted in an office setting and in the community.
- This position will supervise family time in client homes, in the community, and in the office.
- 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.
- Your hours of work may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime may be required, including evening and weekend work.
- You will have required travel for day-to-day work in the community. You may also have required travel for the purpose of attending trainings.
- You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions, work with Law Enforcement Agency in sometimes unsafe and unsanitary home environments
- You may walk into stressful situations that require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and your own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing.
- A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.
- This position will be required to be on 24 hour on-call for child protective services.
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-170537
- Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov
- Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675
Salary : $4,536 - $6,952
