Social Services Associate

State of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); Presencial; USD 52.000 - 70.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Office of Children’s Services in Anchorage, Alaska seeks a Social Services Associate to work with families and children, supporting assessments, case planning, and referrals. The role emphasizes helping families achieve safe, permanent homes, maintain cultural connections, and promote well-being.

Travel for family contacts may be required, with occasional childcare duties. Residency is required for Alaska residents, and the position offers full-time benefits in a collaborative government

Formación

• One year of experience or education assisting clients or staff in explaining and applying guidelines, policies, or services.
• Interpersonal skills: shows empathy, tact, and builds relationships.
• Customer/Quality Focus: anticipates needs and delivers high-quality service.
• Adaptability: adjusts to changing priorities with critical thinking.
• Computer Skills: comfortable using databases and office software.
• Teamwork: collaborates to achieve goals.

Responsabilidades

• Work with families and children to provide services that support safe, permanent homes.
• Support staff with assessments, case planning, and evaluation.
• Provide parenting support during family contact to help parents practice skills safely.
• Access electronic databases and arrange referrals to other agencies.
• Transport children and clients to family contact appointments when needed.
• Occasionally provide childcare.

Descripción del empleo

Open to Alaska Residents only

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

Recruiting Department and Position

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Social Services Associate located in Anchorage, Alaska.

What you will be doing

As a Social Services Associate you will work closely with families and children, helping to provide services that will enhance families' capacities to give their children a healthy start, to provide them with safe and permanent homes, to maintain cultural connections, and to help them realize their potential. You will be supporting professional staff by providing information for assessments, case planning and evaluation, while performing duties that can include providing parenting support during family contact to enable parents to practice parenting skills in a safe environment, accessing electronic databases, and providing necessary referrals for families to other agencies. When supporting family contact that may include transporting children and occasionally clients to family contact appointments to include medical appointments. On occasion, this position may be required to provide childcare.

Our organization, mission and culture

The Office of Children's Services strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

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.

Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values.

Benefits of joining our team

The Office of Children's Services offers a welcoming and professional environment to anyone looking for new challenges and an opportunity to work independently and in collaboration with agency staff, department leadership, and federal partners. The Office of Children's Services promotes a commitment to work-life balance and an organizational culture that values each team member. Your first 6 months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal and on-the-job training with your supervisor and your colleagues.

Full-time benefits of this position include but are not limited to: Insurance Benefits; Retirement Benefits; Paid Leave; and twelve paid holidays per year. Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information.

Working environment you can expect

This position is located in the Anchorage Regional Office in mid-town off Tudor Road and is within walking distance to several amenities. For information on the Anchorage community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review Alaska Community Profiles.

We are seeking a candidate with the following competencies

1. Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains 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.
2. Customer/Quality Focus: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an effective, appropriate manner. Demonstrates commitment to identifying customers' apparent and underlying needs and continually seeks to provide the highest quality service and product to all customers.
3. Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
4. Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
5. Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Special Note

• This position requires a valid Alaska driver's license.
• 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.
• 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.

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

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

Qualifications

One year of any combination of postsecondary or vocational education and/or experience in assisting clients, customers, the general public, or other staff in the explanation and application of guidelines, policies, or services.

Special Note

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

At time of interview applicant is requested to submit

• A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are acceptable but must include the institution name/URL on documents provided) if required to meet minimum qualifications.
• Copy of your two (2) most recent performance appraisals; if unavailable, two (2) documented supervisor letters of reference may be substituted.
• A list of three (3) professional references including daytime telephone numbers and email address; at least one (1) of these must be from a current or former supervisor. o Professional is defined as a supervisor or an individual who has direct knowledge of your work performance.