Generalist Caseworker, CPS & Permanency Workers (Social Service Specialist 1). Eugene (11th Ave), Springfield (Gateway), Eugene (Chad Dr).

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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.

Opportunity awaits! Picture yourself as the advocate for children! Your mission is to protect their futures while addressing the needs of families and adhering to legal obligations. With each home visit and report you complete; youre making a significant impact on the lives of children in Oregon.

Our Office of Child Welfare is seeking to fill multiple Social Service Specialist 1 positions in Eugene/Springfield Lane County! In this role you will work directly with families with whom you will be able to share and celebrate successes. Come join us in doing this important work!

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 Oregons 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 wellbeing.

As a Social Service Specialist 1 Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker you will:

• Responds to assigned referrals of alleged child abuse/neglect in which children are alleged to be unsafe. Assessment activities as outlined in the procedure manual include the following:
  • Conduct child interviews
  • Conduct parent interviews
  • Gather collateral interviews including review of pertinent documents.
  • Make and document observations of the home environment.
  • Make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take children into protection when appropriate.
  • Identify and develop services plan for individual client needs.
• Make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take protection when appropriate.
• Arrange medical evaluation for the children involved in the assessment in order to document and have record of relevant medical findings related to the CPS assessment.
• Locate community programs/support groups and parenting classes
• Arrange substitute care placement of children who are taken into care.
• Attend court hearings (Permanency hearing criminal charges and Juvenile court) related to CPS assessments.
• Attend MDT (MultiDisciplinary Team) meetings related to CPS assessments
• Completing referral information for assessment evaluations (Forensic Mental and Behavioral).
• Completing necessary court related information including petition work sheets court reports affidavits etc.

As a Social Service Specialist 1 Permanency Worker you will:

• Monitors the safety and wellbeing of the child by maintaining ongoing contact with the child per department policy and procedures. Facilitates child adjustment assesses developmental progress and treatment needs explains plan changes and prepares child for transitions including return home and adoption.
• Facilitates visitation of children in care with parents and other significant family members. Directly observes visits or other parent child contacts to assess relationship and provide feedback and counseling where appropriate. Make appropriate arrangements for transportation for the visits.
• Provides case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents of children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Develops a case plan for all legal parents utilizing evaluation information (psychological treatment reports etc.). Involves clients and supportive extended family members and others where appropriate to participate in case planning. Communicates clearly with clients about expectations contact timelines and case progress. Utilizes family meetings to develop case plans with other DHS divisions and community partners.
• Provides case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents and children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Works closely with the parents and schools to assess the childs achievement of appropriate academic goals
• Provides direction and support to families in appropriately meeting the individual needs of their children
• Communicates clearly with clients about expectations contacts plan and timelines.
• Reviews each case record received for completeness including identity and whereabouts of all legal parents documentation of births divorces marriages ICWA status etc. for any missing information and social history including culture disability or language considerations of children and parents.
• Complete regular documentation requirements of OAR policy and procedure. Maintains case file including correspondence treatment reports and other documentation. Generates referrals and payments and maintains documentation. Completes other forms and maintains data.
• Maintains case file including correspondence treatment reports and other documentation. Generates referrals and payments and maintains documentation. Completes other forms and maintains data.
• Attends Court hearings make case presentations prepares concise and comprehensive Court reports testifies and makes recommendations to Court when requested.
• Attend citizens review board reviews and provide verbal and written reports.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelors degree in Human Services or a field related to human service.

OR

A bachelors 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.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to use traumainformed deescalation techniques.
• Experience utilizing time management organization and prioritization skills to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly thoroughly and concisely verbally and in writing in a variety of settings.
• Experience working well with people from a wide variety of backgrounds through a culturally competent lens.
• Experience using computer skills for word processing and navigating different databases.
• Experience alone will not meet the Minimum Qualification for this position. Degree must be completed not in progress. Confirm you meet this job requirement.

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

Your work will be conducted in offices participants homes and other community sites.

You will have frequent local travel. Occasional travel may be hours away. On rare occasions you will have overnight travel. The purpose of travel will be to transport children and connect with family members.

You will 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 require quick decisionmaking to ensure safety of yourself and others. The duties in this position include working with challenging and sometimes hostile clients.

A valid Drivers License from the state in which the employee resides.

This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal workday of 8 hours from 8 AM to 5 PM or Thursday Sunday 8 AM 7PM. however working hours may be adjusted within a given week to provide planned services. Occasional compensated overtime will be required including evening overnight or weekend hours may be required.

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 Securitys I9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use EVerify 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 fingerprintbased criminal records check.

*A valid drivers license and acceptable driving record are required 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 fulltime 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 jobspecific questions.

The recruiter for this position is Brent Lawrence. If you contact the recruiter please include the job requisition number.

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