What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permanency Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) position at Department of Human Services?
Initial Posting Date:
01/22/2025
Application Deadline:
01/29/2025
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,833 - $7,407
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Permanency Worker (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! Build rapport with families, understand their uniqueness, and learn how each family functions. This position offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need of support and resources.
Summary of Duties
As a Permanency Worker, you will:
- Ensure the child’s safety and well-being through regular communication.
- Help the child adapt, evaluate progress in development and treatment requirements, discuss upcoming changes, and prepare the child for transitions.
- Arrange visits between children in care and their parents and other family members. Actively monitor the visits and interactions between parents and children and offer necessary guidance, when applicable.
- Attend Child Safety meetings and collaborate with Child Protective Services Workers and families to develop safety plans for children.
- Provide case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents and children to coordinate services and assess progress.
- Collaborate with parents and schools to evaluate the child’s academic progress and achievement of goals.
- Communicate expectations, planned contacts and timelines with families.
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:
- Experience screening and assessing clients for appropriate community referral or eligibility for programs related to human services.
- Experience preparing and maintaining narrative documentation of the activities concerning individual client cases.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
- Experience conducting work that requires attention to detail, time management and organization to meet deadlines.
- Experience working with children and families through a trauma-informed lens.
- Experience applying and explaining policies and procedures.
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.
Working Conditions
- Majority of your work will be conducted in the ODHS Oregon City Child Welfare office and community.
- Your typical work schedule will be Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
- Your hours of work will fluctuate on a daily and weekly basis to meet service needs. This may include some evening and weekend work and compensated overtime.
- You will have frequent travel around the district for the purpose of connecting with families and children. Occasionally, you may have overnight travel.
- 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 situations that require quick decision-making to ensure safety of yourself and others.
Background Checks and Requirements
- A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
- 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.
- Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.
- 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.
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.
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 Ashlee Parpart. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-173606.
- Email: Ashlee.Parpart@odhs.oregon.gov
