Schoolcraft - SS

State of Michigan

Lansing (MI)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 65,000

Full time

22 hours ago

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Job summary

The Services Specialist at the State of Michigan's Michigan Department of Health and Human Services protects children from abuse and neglect, working with families and the legal system toward reunification or other permanent living arrangements.

Based in the Schoolcraft Office in Manistique, MI, the role applies child welfare practice skills, collaborates with partners across agencies, and supports a mission to promote safety and well‑being for Michigan’s children and families.

Job description

Job Description

The Services Specialist will utilize child welfare practice skills to ensure children are protected from abuse and neglect. When child abuse or neglect is indicated, specialists work closely with families and the legal system toward a goal of reunification, independent living, or other permanent living situation.

Schoolcraft Office

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 300 Walnut Street, Courthouse, Rm. 175A, Manistique, MI 49854.

Review the position description at: Position Description (9-P11), Services Specialist 12 Position Description

Review the job specification at: Job Specification

Pay negotiations within the classification pay range will only be considered based on your current employment earnings and/or relevant position specific experience.

Additional Requirements And Information

The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our MDHHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan.

MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran’s Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer.

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

Rewarding Work

State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits

The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life‑insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long‑term‑disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs

The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave

Eligible full‑time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave

Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays

Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs

Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential

Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if military pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax‑Advantaged Programs

In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction

Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development

To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non‑degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules

Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work‑life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times

Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second‑most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark‑sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one‑of‑a‑kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24

Application Questionnaire

01. Are you a current MDHHS employee classified as a Services Specialist 9-12 interested in moving to the same class and level at this location?

02. Do you possess one of the following? Possession of a bachelor's or master's degree with a major in one of the following human services areas: social work, sociology, psychology, forensic psychology, education, community development, law enforcement, behavioral science, gerontology, special education, education of the emotionally disturbed, education of the gifted, family ecology, community services, family studies, family and/or child development, counseling psychology, criminal justice, human services, a human services‑related counseling major, or interdisciplinary studies in social science. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree in any major with at least 30 semester (45 term) credits in one or a combination of the following human services areas: social work, sociology, psychology, forensic psychology, education, community development, law enforcement, behavioral science, gerontology, special education, education of the emotionally disturbed, education of the gifted, family ecology, community services, family studies, family and/or child development, counseling psychology, criminal justice, human services, a human services‑related counseling major, or interdisciplinary studies in social science. If yes, please attach ALL copies of your official college transcripts.

03. If you do not have a bachelor's degree and/or master's degree in any of the above, will you have your degree completed within 30 days of your application? (If not, please reapply when you are within 30 days of completing your degree)

04. How has your background and experience prepared you to be effective in an environment where we see awareness of and respect for diversity as an important value?

05. Please select from the options below: (Please note, actions that have been expunged, formal counseling, and layoff actions such as a reduction in force need not be reported.) Please select all that apply.

I have been dismissed within the last two years
I have resigned in lieu of discipline or dismissal within the last two years
I have been issued a disciplinary suspension in the last two years.
I am currently suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of an investigation
I have received a written reprimand within the last two years
I have received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years
I have signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years
I certify that none of the above circumstances apply to me

06. If you selected that you have been dismissed within the last two years, resigned in lieu of dismissal within the last two years, were issued a disciplinary suspension within the last two years, are currently suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of an investigation, received a written reprimand within the last two years, received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years, or signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years, please provide an explanation below. If none of the above apply to you, please enter 'N/A'.

07. Do you have any substantiated cases of abuse or neglect, as a perpetrator reported on the Department of Human Services Central Registry?

08. Have you ever been found responsible in a confirmed case of child abuse or neglect?

09. If yes, please explain in detail what changes you have made to mitigate your previous actions.

10. Have you lived outside the State of Michigan in the previous 5 years? (Selected applicants who have lived outside the State of Michigan within the previous 5 years will need to provide a Central Registry record for the State(s) in which they resided in for the previous 5 years prior to being hired.)

11. Do you have an Intentional Program Violation from the Department of Health and Human Services?

12. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

13. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor?

14. If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, Please document all instances including date and disposition. If 'no', please indicate N/A.

15. Do you possess a valid driver's license? (This is a requirement of this position)

16. If yes, please list the issuing State, License Number and Expiration Date. If you have a driver's license issued in any other State than Michigan, please attach a 2 year driving history from that State to your application.

17. Are you in or have you participated in a Michigan Title IV-E Fellowship program?

18. If you answered 'Yes' to the previous question, please select the university.

Michigan State University
University of Michigan
Wayne State University
Western Michigan University
Central Michigan University (BSW)

19. Have you completed or are you currently enrolled in the Child Welfare Certificate Program from an endorsed Michigan School of Social Work? (Attach certificate if completed)

20. This posting is used for both permanent and limited term appointments. Would you accept a limited term position?

21. Have you previously completed the new worker training institute provided by MDHHS for any of the following child welfare programs: Children’s Protective Services, Adoption, Foster Care?

22. Were you previously employed as a Services Specialist with the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services and are seeking to return to that position?