Youth Transition Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2)

Oregon Department of Human Services; Salem; Hybrid; INR 6,310,000 - 9,634,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon Department of Human Services in Salem, Oregon seeks a Youth Transition Specialist to oversee the Youth Transitions program, ensuring policy compliance and coordinating operations. The role requires collaboration with partners to improve systems and administer complex contracts.

The position is hybrid after initial in-office training, with in-person work at the Salem office and occasional travel. A bachelor's degree and relevant experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• OR five years of experience in lieu of degree.
• Experience interpreting and applying complex Child Welfare policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight and coordination for the Youth Transitions program.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to enhance systems and electronic resources.
• Handle complex contract administration to ensure efficiency.

Skills

Policy interpretation

Policy guidance

Group facilitation

Communication skills

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Public Administration/Behavioral Sciences/Finance/Political Science

Job description

About the Position

Position Title: Youth Transition Specialist (Operations & Policy Analyst 2)

Position Type: Employee

Salary Range: $5,458 - $8,352

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

Location: Salem, Oregon (hybrid work after the initial in-office training period is successfully completed; in person work at the Salem office will be required, as well as reporting to a local ODHS office when training, business or operational needs are dependent on onsite activities.)

Company Overview

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! The Child Welfare Youth Transitions team is seeking a highly motivated and dedicated individual to serve as a Youth Transition Specialist. In this role, you will help strengthen supports and services for foster youth and young people that experienced foster care through operational oversight, compliance monitoring, and program coordination. If you are passionate about improving outcomes for young people and supporting continuous system improvement, we invite you to apply.

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.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide operational oversight and coordination for the Youth Transitions (YT) program, ensuring compliance with federal and state requirements and supporting agency-wide efficiency. This position serves as the team's rule, policy, and procedure lead, collaborates with internal and external partners to enhance systems and electronic resources, and handles complex contract administration to ensure compliance and efficiency. They also provide technical consultation and training to agency staff and other interest holders and participate in cross-functional projects to design and implement operational improvements that support program objectives and goals. For a full list of duties, please review the position description document linked here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:e45e7c8a-b602-4f2c-a8ad-ac4f363ccf58

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and two (2) years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
• OR Any combination of experience and education equivalent to five (5) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

Essential Attributes

• Experience interpreting, explaining, and applying complex Child Welfare policies and procedures in different settings to a variety of circumstances.
• Experience sharing complex information through different methods, including creating accessible resources (policy, procedure, training, presentations, flyers, guides, emails, etc.) that offer clear and concise guidance to various audiences.
• Experience facilitating and leading group discussions, meetings, and workgroups, often with varying degrees of participation, different perspectives, and competing goals.
• Understanding of the advantages of both legal and relational permanency for transition aged youth experiencing foster care.
• Experience providing strong engagement and timely customer service in a demanding, fast-paced, and high-volume environment.

Working Conditions

General operations and required meetings primarily occur 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. This position is eligible for hybrid work after the initial in-office training period is successfully completed. In person work at the Salem office will be required, as well as reporting to a local ODHS office when training, business or operational needs are dependent on onsite activities. Frequency varies. Some travel expenses are not provided, nor reimbursable for hybrid work employees per travel policy paragraph 105: https://www.oregon.gov/das/Financial/Acctng/Documents/40.10.00.pdf Occasional statewide travel is required, including overnights. Works in an integrated environment where diverse programs, partners and staff create the work team. Serve a diverse range of internal and external customers with compassion and professionalism through a trauma informed lens. General conditions include high stress environment due to a high-volume workload with short time frames. Daily exposure to reports of potential abuse and confidential information from diverse groups who may have experienced trauma.

Background Checks and Requirements

• Requires a valid driver's license or other acceptable method of transportation for routine travel.
• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification.

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.

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.

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.

Contact Information

Email: [e-mail] Phone (call or text): 503-519-1807

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 Alissa Walker. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.

Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you're looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon flies with her own wings.