Social Services Associate - Utqiagvik

State of Alaska; Utqiaġvik (AK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Alaska's Office of Children's Services in Utqiagvik seeks a Social Services Associate to support professional staff with assessments, case planning, and referrals. You will work with families and children to promote safety, permanency, and culturally connected services in a demanding, collaborative environment.

Travel is required 4+ times monthly, including day trips and occasional overnights. OCS emphasizes safety, balance, and a strong work ethic while serving Alaska communities.

Qualifications

• One year of any combination of postsecondary education and/or experience in assisting clients or staff with guidelines or services.
• Ability to gather information for assessments and case planning.
• Willingness to travel 4+ times a month, day trips with occasional overnights.
• Background checks and driver's license requirements may apply.

Responsibilities

• Gather information for assessments, case planning, and evaluation.
• Provide parenting support to enable parenting skills in a safe environment.
• Access electronic databases and provide information for referrals.
• Work with families and children to enhance well-being and safe permanency.
• Travel 4+ times per month, usually day trips with occasional overnights.
• Overtime and after-hours work may be required; staff considered essential.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Adaptability

Computer skills

Teamwork

Job description

Social Services Associate (SSA)

Located in Utqiagvik (Barrow), Alaska.

This position is open to Alaska Residents.

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 4+ times a month, usually day trips with the occasional overnights. The length of these trips varies based on casework needs, within the day or overnight.

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.

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

• Insurance Benefits


• Retirement Benefits


• Paid Leave


• twelve paid holidays per year

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.

Working Environment You Can Expect

This position is located in Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow). Utqiagvik Field Office covers Utqiagvik and 11 surrounding villages. This position may travel to and assist other field offices within the Northern Region for a few days on an as-needed basis. Our teams are based around having a strong work ethic and high ethical standards, believing in treating all people with dignity and respect, as well as being self motivated, organized and honest. We are all about getting the job done while still contributing to a positive, upbeat work environment.

This position is located in the Utq field office. Travel may include unconventional means such as ATVs, small planes, boats, etc.

The typical workweek may include some caseworker visits at school or in resource family homes, virtual and in-person court attendance, and mostly working independently in an office setting.

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 Utqiagvik community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review Alaska Community Profiles.

Who We Are Looking For

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.

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.

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.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or [phone] if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to [e-mail].

For applicant password assistance, please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

Contact

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