Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Oregon Department of Human Services; Pendleton (OR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Resource Groups

Annual salary increases

Comprehensive benefits package

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The Oregon Department of Human Services is seeking a Social Service Specialist 1 to support the Child Welfare program in Pendleton. This full-time role helps protect vulnerable children, assess safety, and coordinate services for families in our community.

Candidates will perform interviews, document cases, and collaborate with schools, healthcare providers, and law enforcement. A relevant degree and valid driver’s license are required, with growth opportunities and strong departmental support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in human services.
• Experience in child protective investigations or custody determinations preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and clean record required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect 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 information into databases.
• Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
• Present and testify in court.

Skills

Child welfare

Engage families

Time management

Documentation

Interviews

Education

Bachelor's degree in Human Services

Bachelor's degree unrelated to Human Services with related experience

Associate degree with related experience

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! Step into a transformative role where your passion for the well‑being of children and your ability to connect with families come together to create lasting change. Become a catalyst for positive impact in the lives of Oregon’s children and their loved ones. Are you ready to unlock the potential within every family—and make a real difference? We are currently seeking to fill a Child Protective Services Workers (Social Service Specialist 1) to join our team in the Pendleton office.

Salary Range: $4,954 - $7,592.

Position Type: Employee Position.

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.

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
• 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

• Prior transferrable experience assessing the safety of children, assessing the protective capabilities of parents/care givers, working concurrent plans and creating plans for children.
• Experience engaging and building partnerships with clients (parents & children), community organizations, agency staff, and affected communities.
• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.
• Experience at designing and managing effective organizational structures and workflows.
• Demonstrates strong multitasking skills and consistently performs well in high‑velocity settings.
• Experience preparing and maintaining thorough records, such as reports, narratives, and observations.

Working Conditions

Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites. Employee’s work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required. This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services. Frequent travel is required. Some travel may be hours away. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions. You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions. Walking into stressful situations that may require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing.

Background Checks and Requirements

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. 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. 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’ and Oregon National Guard preference: Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference.
• For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

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.

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