Child Protective Service Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Oregon Department of Human Services; La Grande (OR); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Human Services is seeking a Child Protective Service Worker to engage with families to ensure the safety of children. This role involves conducting assessments, gathering information, and working within a team to support vulnerable children and families effectively.

Benefits

Cost of Living Adjustments

Annual salary increases

Amazing benefits package

Possible eligibility for loan forgiveness program

Qualifications

• Degree must be completed, not in progress.
• Requires a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Experience in Human Services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct child safety assessments and respond to referrals.
• Gather and analyze information from multiple sources.
• Document findings and fulfill requirements for court presentations.

Skills

Self-motivation

Trauma-informed care

Written communication

Active listening

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree unrelated to Human Services with related experience

Associate degree with two years of Human Services related experience

Job description

Child Protective Service Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

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Child Protective Service Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

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Position Title

Child Protective Service Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date

06/03/2025

Application Deadline

06/17/2025

Agency

Department of Human Services

Salary Range

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Child Protective Service 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 ourEquity North Starand our vision for a positiveRiSE organizational culturethat 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 currently seeking a Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) to join our team in the La Grande office.

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 Worker, You Will

• Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred.
• Gather information through interviews with parents and children.
• Observe and analyze the safety of home environments.
• Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers.
• Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases.
• Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
• Present and testify in court.
• 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.
  
  

Interested in learning more? Here are some testimonials from current ODHS Workers.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position. And
• 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.
  
  

Please clearly reflect in your submitted application materials that your degree is complete and the course of study it was obtained in.

Degree must be completed, not in progress. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and manage your time well.
• Demonstrated knowledge about trauma-informed care.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write in plain language with minimal spelling and grammar issues.
• Experience giving verbal presentations that were well-received and understandable to the audience.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize self-care in order to maintain good mental health.
• Demonstrated ability to come up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Demonstrated ability to be an active listener and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
  
  

Application Instructions & Requirements

Your work history profile, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.

• Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. 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.
• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.
• If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.
• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment 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.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.
• This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal workday of 8 hours, from Monday- Friday 8am to 5pm; however, working hours may be adjusted within a given week to provide planned services or crisis response. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.
• A valid driver’s license from the state in which they reside is required and must have an acceptable driving record as determined by the Background Check Unit.
• This position will be required to participate in an on-call draft and in a rotation for mandatory on call for the office.
• Occasional travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.
• This position requires occasional overnight travel.
• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.
  
  

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.
• 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.
  
  

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 Yvette Medford. Please include the REQ# when corresponding.
• Email: [e-mail]
• Phone (call or text): 541-709-0306
  
  

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Government Administration

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