Social Services Associate (PCN 063389)

State of Alaska; Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Paid Leave

Twelve paid holidays per year

Job summary

The State of Alaska is seeking a Social Services Associate in the Fairbanks office. The role focuses on para-professional, administrative duties within the permanency process for youth in care, including documentation, packet preparation, and coordinating with multiple partners.

Responsibilities require strong organization, clear communication, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Delivers high-quality customer service and responsiveness to client needs.
• Adapts to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support permanency processes for youth in care through documentation and packet preparation.
• Coordinate with OCS staff, Tribal representatives, attorneys, and foster/relative placements.
• Maintain timely and accurate case information and communicate effectively with partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer focus

Adaptability

Job description

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

Job Description

THE RECRUITMENT PERIOD FOR THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN EXTENDED**

Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for this position increased by 3%. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

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

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

What You Will Be Doing

This Social Services Associate (SSA) position is assigned to the Fairbanks Permanency Unit and serves as an integral part of the permanency process for youth in care. The support is primarily in para-professional, administrative duties. These support services include but are not limited to timely and accurate documentation and tracking of information regarding cases at various stages of the adoption and guardianship process, collecting necessary documents from a variety of sources and compiling thorough adoption/guardianship packets, frequent communication with OCS staff, Tribal representatives, adoption/guardianship attorneys, resource families, legal parties, etc. This is a fast-paced work environment that requires the ability to track multiple things at the same time.

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

The Fairbanks Field Office serves the Fairbanks area, North Pole, as well as surrounding communities. The Office of Children’s Services requires staff to work after hours and on-call. Overtime is also an expectation when deemed necessary. OCS staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters.

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

We Are Seeking a Candidate With The Following Competencies

• 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.
• 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.
• Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.

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.

Minimum 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.

Additional Required Information

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.
• A list of three (3) professional* references including daytime telephone numbers and email address; at least two (2) of these must be from a current or former supervisor.
• Professional is defined as a supervisor or an individual who has direct knowledge of your work performance.

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Twelve (12) paid holidays a year

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.

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

Name: Loraine Caslin, Administrative Assistant 2

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]