Department of Human Services

Compensation

Full Description

Initial Posting Date: 09/18/2025 Application Deadline: 09/25/2025 Agency: Department of Human Services Salary Range: $4,833 - $7,407 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Limited Duration - Child Protective Services 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! Imagine a role where you engage with children, families, resource parents and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families. Imagine yourself conducting child safety assessments through an equity and culturally relevant lens. If you're looking to make a difference and this sounds intriguing, this Child Protective Services Worker position may be for you! We are seeking to fill a Limited Duration position for a Child Protective Services Worker for our Child Welfare Portland office on NE Irving. • The Limited Duration has an end date of 12/31/2025. • Limited Duration positions are eligible for benefits. 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 Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, you will: • Respond to assigned referrals of abuse and neglect and conduct assessments to determine if children are unsafe. • Interview children, parents, and collateral contacts, and observe the home environment to gather information. • Make determinations of abuse or neglect and take protective action when necessary. • Develop service plans to address the individual needs of children and families. • Arrange medical evaluations, substitute care placements, and connect families with community resources and support programs. • Complete necessary documentation in OR-Kids, including court reports, safety plans, and assessment evaluations. • Attend Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings related to CPS assessments. • Attend court hearings (Permanency hearings, criminal charges, and Juvenile court) related to CPS assessments. • Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress. There are no exceptions or grace periods for finishing a degree. 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 building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities. • Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases, including case activities, client interactions, and other pertinent observations for judicial proceedings. • Experience engaging and communicating with diverse populations. • Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity. • Experienced in effective communication with individuals via telephone and face-to-face interactions, as well as presenting and testifying in court. • Proficient in navigating technology, inputting, and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases. • Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings. Working Conditions • Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites. • This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services. • Occasional travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, providing transportation, and other case related activities. • Employee will work a professional work week; hours of work may fluctuate based on service needs. • Occasional, compensated overtime may be required, including evening and weekend work. • In this role, you will handle sensitive issues related to trauma, abuse, substance use, and crises. • You will interact with a diverse range of individuals, including those who have experienced trauma and may struggle with emotional regulation. 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. • Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. • The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process. • 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. 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). • The salary range listed is the non- PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. • 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 Yvette Medford. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number. • Email: yvette.c.medford@odhs.oregon.gov • Phone (call or text): 541-709-0306 Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!