Resource Home Certifier (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date

03/25/2025

Application Deadline

04/09/2025

Agency

Department of Human Services

Salary Range

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Resource Home Certifier (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!

Do you enjoy meeting interesting people and getting to know their stories? Imagine recruiting, identifying, assessing, and supporting resource families (resource, adoptive, and kinship families). If you're looking to make a difference in your community and this sounds interesting, this Resource Home Certifier role 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 Resource Home Certifier, You Will

• Recruit and engage resource parents, adoptive parents and caregivers from diverse backgrounds.
• Develop and implement local recruitment & retention plans.
• Attend local outreach community activities to identify potential resource parents.
• Review and prepare family home studies for adoption and permanency committees, ensuring families are placement ready.
• Provide ongoing support and training to Resource and adoptive families, including facilitating mentorship and managing Placement Support Plans.
• Assess and monitor the safety and suitability of resource families, pre-adoptive families, and adoptive families managing documentation.
• Present training opportunities and coordinate annual training plans.
• Attend meetings, conferences, and court hearings to represent Child Welfare and maintain communication with stakeholders.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.
• Travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.
• This position may require rare overnight travel.
• Employee’s work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs.
• Afterhours coverage is required.
• Occasional, compensated overtime may be required, including evening and weekend work.
• May work with individuals experiencing trauma or crisis. Some individuals may have challenges managing their emotions.
• May encounter situations requiring quick decision-making to ensure the safety of oneself or others.
  
  

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:

• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed care practices.
• Experience coming up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Experience practicing active listening while engaging in sensitive or difficult conversation.
• Experience organizing and prioritizing workloads to adapt to evolving circumstances and time constraints.
• Experience evaluating information to make informed decisions and guide actions.
• Experience engaging with diverse individuals to conduct interviews, ask sensitive questions, and navigate difficult conversations.
  
  

Attention all candidates!

• Application materials are screened for minimum qualifications and essential attributes to determine if you advance in the selection process. Clearly describe how you meet these requirements in your application materials.
• Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary range. Please ensure any education and experience information, you would like considered are included in your application materials.
• Note: If attaching a resume and/or cover letter, please uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. You can attach multiple files in this area at once.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: 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.
  
  

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 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

Please contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and application or Job-specific questions.

Please include the job requisition number: REQ-177418.

• Recruiter: Amanda Alvarado.
• Email: AMANDA.K.ALVARADO@odhs.oregon.gov
• Phone (call or text): 541-709-8695.