Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Helena)

Taleo; Helena (MT); On-site; USD 85,411,000 - 96,432,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Leave & Holidays

Job summary

Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services, Helena region, seeks a Child Protection Specialist to assess maltreatment reports, manage caseloads, and collaborate with law enforcement and welfare partners. The role involves travel, in‑home visits, and court/testimony preparation.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a social services field and at least two years of related experience. A rotating on‑call schedule and potential partial telework are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related field.
• Two years of social services work experience with children and families.
• Experience with tribal government entities or native communities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely assessments of child maltreatment reports using safety tools and guides.
• Manage caseload and keep case files current.
• Collaborate with law enforcement and welfare professionals.
• Prepare for and testify in court and MDT/family partnership meetings.
• Place child(ren) in out‑of‑home care when needed and ensure safe placement.
• Assess medical/psychological needs and monitor progress.
• Prepare assessments, design case plans, and monitor placements.
• Travel frequently, including in‑home visits and possible out‑of‑state travel.

Skills

Stress tolerance

Self-management

Decision making

Advocacy

Teamwork

Critical decisions

Engaging families

Calm under pressure

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job Description - Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Helena) (26142164)

Position Title

Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Helena) - ( 26142164 )

Why Join DPHHS

Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Work/life balance
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience.

Essential Functions

Conducts timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment, in accordance with requirements of state and federal statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision‑making guides.

Carried a caseload and keeps all case file documentation current.

Works collaboratively with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies.

Prepares for and testifies in court, preliminary hearings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings.

Places child(ren) in out-of-home care, when necessary, and ensures that the placement is safe and complies with statutory and policy preferences and is in the best interests of the child(ren). Identifies available resources and connects families and children to these resources.

Assures child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case.

Prepares assessments, designs case plans, evaluates the progress of participants, and makes and monitors appropriate placements.

This role requires frequent travel and conducting in home visits and interviews, and may include out-of-state travel, which will require the willingness to have appropriate travel documents.

While you have a standard schedule, there will be times when critical business needs will require work during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Please note that as part of your job responsibilities, you will be assigned a rotating on‑call schedule.

Minimum Qualifications

• Required bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related degree.
• Two years of social services work experience, or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
  • Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples.
  • Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family centered social work practice.

Stress Tolerance:Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations).

Self-Management:Sets well‑defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Decision Making:Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Advocacy:Develops and presents the client’s, youth’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.

Teamwork:Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, fosters commitment and works with others to achieve goals.

Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.

Ability to engage children and families, under difficult circumstances, to gather sufficient information to make accurate and precise decisions.

Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, even those who do not share the same point of view and may be violent or angry and maintain them over time.

Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions of this position, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.

Additional Information

This position may be eligible for partial teleworkwithin the state of Montana.Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy.

This position is open until filled with frequent screening of applicants.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary

$31.55 - 31.55 Hourly

Telework Eligibility

Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility

• Health Insurance
• Paid Leave & Holidays
• Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

3

Employee Status

Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Primary Location

Helena Agency : Department of Public Health & Human Services Union : Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Sep 1, 2026, 6:00:00 AM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone)

Oct 26, 2026, 5:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter, Resume, References

Contact

Contact Name : Human Resources | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

Equal Opportunity Statement

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.