Social Services Associate (PCN 064622M)

State of Alaska; Anchorage (AK); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Paid Leave

Twelve paid holidays

Job summary

State of Alaska’s Office of Children's Services in Anchorage seeks a Social Services Associate to work with families and children, helping build safe, permanent homes and maintain cultural connections. You will support assessments, case planning, and referrals, with occasional transportation or childcare duties as needed.

The role is full-time in the Anchorage Regional Office, with a focus on collaboration with professional staff and federal partners, emphasizing work-life balance and

Qualifications

• Alaska residency is required.
• Valid Alaska driver’s license is required.
• Background and fingerprint check as part of recruitment.
• One year of postsecondary or vocational education and/or experience in assisting clients.

Responsibilities

• Assist families and children to enhance safety and well‑being.
• Support assessment, case planning and evaluation activities.
• Provide information and referrals to other agencies.
• Support parenting during family contact and accompany clients to appointments.
• May transport children or accompany clients to family contact/appointments; childcare may be required from time to time.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Customer/Quality Focus

Adaptability

Computer Skills

Teamwork

Job description

This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.