Social Services Associate (PCN 064663)

State of Alaska

Fairbanks (AK)

On-site

USD 52,000 - 66,000

Full time

2 days ago

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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 Fairbanks is looking for a dedicated Social Services Associate to manage placement searches and support caregivers. You will work within a centralized unit, ensuring timely placement for children and strong, service-oriented support for families.

The role emphasizes attention to detail, adaptability, and problem-solving skills as part of a collaborative 6-person team in a 7.5-hour day schedule, with potential evening hours.

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.

Responsibilities

Search for placements for children and provide support to caregivers.
Provide robust customer service and support for caregivers and seek placements for children.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Customer Service

Adaptability

Problem Solving

Flexibility

Job description

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 position is a member of the centralized, Placement Search and Support Unit and will be responsible for most aspects of searching for placements and supporting caregivers. This position provides robust customer service and support for caregivers and is responsible for searching for and securing placements for children.

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

Joining our team will provide you with the satisfaction of working with a dynamic, diverse, and high performing team while simultaneously having a positive impact by providing support to OCS employees as well as the children and families of Alaska!

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 Fairbanks, Alaska. This position will be part of a 6-person team that will search for placement for children and provide support to caregivers. This position works 7.5 hours per day and may be required to work until 6pm daily.

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

Attention to Detail: Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
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.
Adaptability: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
Problem Solving: Identifies and analyzes problems; weighs relevance and accuracy of information; generates and evaluates alternative solutions; makes recommendations.
Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with uncertainty.

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

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.

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

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.

Education

To verify education being used to meet the required minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials being used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application, provided at the time of interview or if not provided, transcripts will be required prior to appointment.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university.

It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

Work Experience

When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

Legal Employment

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 as an employer sponsor.

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

Recruitment Scope

Applicants must currently work in the recruiting department and hold permanent employment status. Permanent employment status is defined as holding permanent status in ANY job class in the current period of employment with no break in service (separation from State of Alaska employment) since the permanent status was earned.

All State Employee Recruitment: Applicants must currently hold permanent employment status in the classified service as defined in Alaska Statute 39.25.100. Permanent employment status is defined as holding permanent status in ANY job class in the current period of employment with no break in service (separation from State of Alaska employment) since the permanent status was earned.

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 Information

Name: Forrest McGillis, Community Care Licensing Specialist 2

Phone: (907)228-3258

Email: forrest.mcgillis@alaska.gov

Careers With The State Of Alaska Offer MANY Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

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.
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
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