Social Services Associate Juneau

State of Alaska; Juneau (AK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Paid Leave

Twelve paid holidays per year

Job summary

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) in Juneau, Alaska seeks a Social Services Associate (SSA) for full-time work. The role supports professional staff with assessments, case planning, and family services while traveling as needed.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only and requires overtime with essential staffing during emergencies. As an SSA you will help families achieve safe, permanent homes and cultural connections, working within a

Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills to build relationships across varied backgrounds.
• Customer service orientation for clients and the general public.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and demanding workloads.
• Proficiency with computers, databases, and automated systems.
• Teamwork to collaborate with colleagues and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Gather information for assessments, case planning, and evaluation.
• Provide parenting support during family contact to help parents practice skills.
• Refer families to other agencies and services as needed.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Customer Service

Adaptability

Computer Skills

Teamwork

Education

Postsecondary education

Job description

The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Social Services Associate (SSA)

located in Juneau, Alaska.

This position is open to Alaska Residents only.

What You Will Be Doing

A Social Services Associate is an administrative position. You will be supporting professional staff by gathering 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 information to professional staff to make necessary referrals for families to other agencies. As a Social Services Associate you will work 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. The successful incumbent will be courteous, professional in language and presentation, calm, motivated, efficient, and have strong critical thinking skills. This position will require traveling up to a week at a time.

The Office of Children's Services requires staff to work overtime when deemed necessary. OCS Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters. The agency also supports a healthy work/life balance for all staff.

For more information: OCS Practice Model.

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 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 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
• twelve paid holidays per year

Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information.

Working Environment You Can Expect

This position will be located in Juneau, Alaska. The Office of Children's Service's staff are considered essential and are required to work after hours, on-call hours, through pandemics- natural disasters, and all holidays that land on their rotational work week.

The work we perform is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve. As a result, the Office of Children's Services works on evenings and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime and on-call work are expectations of our workers. Travel to villages or cities for placement or visitation varies based on reginal needs. Frequency of travel varies based on casework or regional needs. 0-2 times a month or 0-2 times a year. Length of trip varies based on casework needs. Within the day or overnight. Travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft and overnight stays.

For information on the Juneau community (including schools, hospitals, housing), please review the Alaska Community Profiles.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a candidate with the following desired 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 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 the 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.
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.

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

Special Note

• This position requires a valid Real ID 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.

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.

Legal Employment

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

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

Name: Cyan Shuman, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]