Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3 Wasilla

State of Alaska; Wasilla (AK); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Alaska, Office of Children's Services in Wasilla, is seeking a Protective Service Specialist (PSS) to perform child protection investigations and deliver in‑home services. The role covers the Investigation & Assessment unit or Family Services, with travel across rural Alaska and on‑call rotations to support families in need.

The position emphasizes competency‑based qualifications, strong ethics, and collaboration with Tribal partners, while requiring flexible scheduling including

Qualifications

• Stress Tolerance: handles high-stress situations calmly and effectively.
• Self-Management: sets realistic goals, works with minimal supervision, stays motivated.
• Teamwork: collaborates with colleagues, builds trust and group effort.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of child abuse or neglect and assess safety needs.
• Develop intervention plans and coordinate with families and partners.
• Prepare reports for the court and maintain case documentation.
• Travel across designated regions and provide on‑call coverage as needed.

Skills

Stress Tolerance

Self-Management

Teamwork

Job description

Come join the State of Alaska!

This job class uses Competency Based minimum qualifications (MQs). Please read the Competency Based MQ instructions below to learn more.

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full‑time Protective Service Specialist 1/2/3 in Wasilla, Alaska.

The position is open to Alaska Residents Only.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Protective Service Specialist (PSS), you will be responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services unit, the Investigations & Assessment unit, or as Generalist covering both. This case carrying positions offer a range of duties, including investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, and gathers information about family dynamics/functionality. A PSS will develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their protective factors, may be placing children with a relative or licensed foster home when applicable, provide ongoing and/or in‑home services to families, writing and submitting reports to Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face‑to‑face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody with travel as required dependent on the client location and working On Call, on a rotation basis. Making referrals to other service providers and agencies.

Mission and Values/Culture

The Mission of the Office of Children's Services is: Ensuring the safety, permanency and well‑being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes.

The Office of Children's Services is dedicated to a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount. Employees all contribute to building a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully. Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values.

Benefits of Joining Our Team

The Office of Children's Services is committed to an organizational culture that values each team member. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate and value the diversity of our employees, partners, and families we serve.

Your first twelve months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal virtual training, on‑the‑job training with your supervisor, and with other colleagues.

While this is a field‑based position that involves working in the community, part‑time telework within the duty station is an option upon eligibility.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This is a rural position with a Wasilla duty station. The individual will be expected to frequently travel within the Dillingham and Bristol Bay area, Lake and Peninsula Borough, and the Aleutian Islands to provide support estimating about 50% to 65% of the time, with per‑diem and accommodation paid for by the State if needed.

This position will either be in the Investigations & Assessment Unit or the Family Services Unit. The work performed is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve. As a result Office of Children’s services work in the evenings, and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime and working on‑call on a rotational basis are expectations of our workers.

This position requires travel in the Southcentral and Southwestern Region of the state on a routine basis. The position will be required to stay in State leased housing in Dillingham for 5 days on a rotational basis and will be required to travel to other towns and villages as needed. Travel to other villages or cities in the area will be based on operational needs. Travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft, helicopters, boats, ATVs or other forms of transportation. Depending on operational needs some travel may include day trips, and some will require overnight stays. Travel may be required for one to three trips per month. Trips may last up to one week at a time. Additionally, a valid Driver’s License and valid Real ID is required for traveling.

Our teams are based around having a strong work ethic and high ethical standards, believing in treating all people with dignity and respect, as well as being self‑motivated, organized and honest. We are all about getting the job done while still contributing to a positive, upbeat work environment.

Office of Children’s Services Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters.

Travel and Community Information

For information on the Wasilla, Bristol Bay communities, Lake and Peninsula Borough, and the Aleutians (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.

Who We Are Looking For

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous 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.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Special Note

• All positions require a valid Real ID Alaska driver's license and successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check.
• Additionally, while the Division does have vehicles assigned to it, they may not always be available for staff use. Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work‑related matters. Current automotive insurance must be in place prior to use of a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the State.
• Relocation reimbursement costs may be provided by the State of Alaska.
• For positions in this job class, a child protective history check will be performed per AS 12.62.160 and/or 13 AAC 68.315 including a background and fingerprint check.
• The successful candidate may be required to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage.

General Description Link

To view the general description and example of duties for the position please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions

This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description

The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Integrity:Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Interpersonal Skills:Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintain effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately.
• Writing:Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Technical Credibility: Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

equivalent to those typically gained by

Training in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on‑line, self‑study, and on‑the‑job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long‑duration (such as a post‑secondary degree) and short‑duration (such as a seminar) programs.

Special Note

Some positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and/or a background investigation including fingerprinting. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.

Legal Employment

The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role of an employer sponsor.

EEO Statement

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact for Position

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Laureen Larsen

Talent Acquisitions Specialist

[phone]

[e-mail]