Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) Bilingual required, English/Spanish

Initial Posting Date:

02/04/2025

Application Deadline:

02/16/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) Bilingual required, English/Spanish

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Bilingual requirement English and Spanish:

This position requires duties to be completed in both English and Spanish. The job offer will be contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in the bilingual requirements of the position. This position may receive a 5% differential pay based on passing the required language test.

Opportunity awaits! Imagine a role where you engage with children, families, resource parents and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families. Imagine yourself conducting child safety assessments through an equity and culturally relevant lens.  Ensuring the safety of children is our top priority. Our CPS workers collaborate with various agencies and community partners to thoroughly assess reports of abuse or neglect. Our dedicated CPS workers respond to reports of abuse or neglect, working closely with law enforcement, medical professionals, and other agencies to ensure the well-being of children.

If you're looking to make a difference and this sounds intriguing, this Child Protective Service Worker (CPS) position may be for you!

Summary of Duties

As an employee working within the Child Welfare Program, you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon’s most vulnerable children and families. Your dedication will help us achieve the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation that will support children and young adults to be safer, healthier, experience less trauma and achieve a greater well-being.  

A Child Protective Services Worker’s duties include:

• Safety and Support: Protect children’s safety and support families by engaging with them, resource parents, and caregivers. Using a trauma-informed and antiracist approach.

• A Balancing Act: Navigate the needs of the child and the family while balancing legal requirements.

• Assessment and Interviews: Conduct assessment and fact-finding interviews related to child safety, risk of abuse, neglect, or harm. You will also address necessary care and needs levels of the children and families.

• Decision-Making: Analyzing collected information, you will determine appropriate child placement, considering each family’s unique circumstances.

• Communication: You will create reports, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations in office, community, or legal settings.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in human services or a field related to human service, or

• A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and either:

  • One year of Human Services related experience, or

  • Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency, or

• An associate degree and either:

  • Two years of Human Services related experience, or

  • One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Bilingual in English and Spanish (the job offer will be contingent upon passing test(s) evaluating your proficiency in the bilingual requirements of the position). 

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Engagement & Rapport: Experience connecting with clients (parents and children), establishing rapport, and collaboratively developing case plans.

• Effective Time Management: Experience using organizational skills, prioritization, and time management to meet deadlines.

• Adaptability & Prioritization: Experience shifting focus in dynamic environments with changing priorities.

• Child and Family Services: Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.

• Adaptive Communication: Experience in adjusting communication style for different audiences, actively listening, and expressing empathy.

Attention all candidates! Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Your application materials will determine if you are selected to move forward in the selection process. Please include detailed work and education history.

Note: “The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.”

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid position that requires you to be in the office three days per week, with the flexibility to work from home for up to two days when possible, following a six-month training period.

• This position requires travel between the Pendleton and Hermiston areas in Umatilla County, with a base location in Hermiston.

• Your responsibilities will take you to various locations, including office spaces, participants' homes, and other community sites.

• Occasional travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.

• This position requires occasional overnight travel. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions.

• Employee will work a professional work week; hours of work may fluctuate based on service needs.  Occasional, compensated overtime may be required, including evening and weekend work.

• Employee will be on a rotating on-call schedule. The rotating on-call schedule will include evening or weekend work.

• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.

• You may encounter stressful situations that will require quick decision-making skills.

• This position requires frequent activity including, climbing stairs, walking on uneven terrain, assisting children into and out of car seats, this may include lifting, up to 40 pounds. 

Background Checks and Requirements

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check. 

• A valid driver license and acceptable driving record are necessary for this position.

Benefits

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing benefits package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ preference:

• Veterans’ preference information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

General Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Sugei Hernandez. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-174270

• Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov

• Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675