Permanency (Social Service Specialist 1) Underfill Opportunity

Initial Posting Date

04/22/2025

Application Deadline

05/07/2025

Agency

Department of Human Services

Salary Range

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Permanency (Social Service Specialist 1) Underfill Opportunity

Job Description

Job Posting

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!

This position may be underfilled by a candidate who meets the Social Service Specialist/Entry) minimum qualifications and is able to meet the Child Protective services (Social Service Specialist 1) minimum qualifications within 24 months. 

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

• 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.
• Strategies: You develop and implement multi-level strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas for improvement.
• Responsibilities: Your tasks include conducting home visits, writing reports, attending court hearings, and problem-solving child safety issues.
• Balancing Act: You balance the needs of the child and the family in compliance with legal requirements.
• Opportunities: You will build rapport with families, understand their uniqueness, and learn about each family’s dynamics.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Social Service Specialist/Entry Minimum Qualifications

Salary: $ 4,409.00 - $ 6,123.00 / Monthly

One year of direct, full-time experience that prepares the incumbent for providing protective services to children, such as work in a social work, child welfare services, or family services setting, or in a related field.

NOTE: You must obtain an Associate’s degree within two calendar years from the date of hire.

Child Protective Services (Social Service Specialist 1) Minimum Qualifications

Salary: $ 4,833.00 - $ 7,407.00 / Monthly

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 in assessing and meeting the essential care and needs of children and families, ensuring appropriate community referral or eligibility for programs related to human services.
• 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.
• Experience formulating documents or reports that include a conclusion and recommended action (examples: case plans, court reports, investigative reports).
• Experience utilizing a trauma-informed lens to make sound judgements, identify successful solutions to problems, and provide recommendations regarding child safety decision and child placement.
  
  

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. The duties in this position include working with challenging and sometimes hostile clients, working with LEA in sometimes unsafe and unsanitary home environments.
• This work requires a valid Oregon Driver's License.
• Work requires the ability to prioritize work related to child safety and respond quickly to emergent situations.
• This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with the normal workday of 8am to 5pm; however, working hours may be adjusted within a given week to provide planned services.
• Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.
• This work requires the ability to use computer technology which includes, but is not limited to, the following: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and OR-Kids.
  
  

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.
  
  

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Possible eligibility for the Public 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 Sugei Hernandez. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-176331
• Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov
• Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675