REQ-17356 Social Service Specialist 1 (Foster Care Certification)
We want you to join our team! #HelpKidsAndFamilies
The Office of Child Welfare, part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, is looking to for 3 (three) dedicated and compassionate professionals to serve as Foster Care Certification Worker (Social Service Specialist 1). You will be helping ensure that children are safe and protected. For more information on Child Welfare programs please click here. These positions will be located in Ontario.
Application Deadline: November 29, 2019
This posting is open until a sufficient pool of applicants have been identified.
What's in it for you:
· Opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of children in need of support.
· Be part of a diverse workforce that collaborates and learns from each other to improve services that support children, families, and communities.
· Excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.
What you will be doing:
Foster care is a temporary living arrangement for children who need a safe place to live when their parents or guardians cannot safely take care of them. Employees in these positions identify and seek relative caregivers, foster parents, and adoptive parents that represent ethnic and cultural groups within the community.
Foster Care Certifiers recruit and support resource families (e.g. foster, adoptive and kinship families). Services are tailored to each family's circumstances and must address the issue(s) that brought the child and family into the child welfare system. Out-of-home care encompasses the importance of family and should always operate as a support for the family rather than as a substitute for the parent. Strategies may include maintaining family and cultural connections; and connecting families with service providers, community partners and stakeholders.
Working conditions:
Requires some travel. The duties in this position include work with challenging and at times hostile clients; in sometimes unsafe and unsanitary home environments. Work requires ability to prioritize work related to child safety and respond quickly to emergent situations. This work is performed during various shifts that may include the traditional work week, swing shift, evenings, and weekends. Working hours may be adjusted within a given week to provide services.
This is what you need to qualify:
- Bachelor's or higher level degree in Social Work/Human Services or a closely related field; OR
- Bachelor's degree in a field not closely related to Social Work/Human Services and one year of human services related experience (i.e., work providing assistance to individuals and groups with issues such as economically disadvantaged, employment, abuse and neglect, substance abuse, aging, disabilities, prevention, health, cultural competencies, inadequate housing); OR
- UNDERFILL OPTION (see below)
Underfill Option: Social Service Specialist (Entry)
- Associate’s Degree with additional training or additional certification in human services or a field related to human services.
Note: The agency will reclassify employees to the Social Service Specialist 1 classification on January 1, 2020, when statute changes and employees meet the new qualifications. Candidates that are hired through this option will be assigned non-investigatory duties and work under the guidance of a supervisor or experienced social service specialist until they meet the qualifications of a Social Service Specialist 1.
Requested Skills/Desired Attributes:
The most competitive candidate will have:
- Knowledge or skill working with foster or adoption services.
- Experience locating and/or training community service volunteers or host or foster families.
- Experience working with community partners and organizations.
- Knowledge or skill with behavior management techniques.
- Ability to use informed practices that are inclusive of the child and family’s language, race, and culture.
- Skill in writing reports, such as case plans, court reports and investigative reports that include conclusions and recommended action.
Additional Requirements:
Successful candidates must have and maintain a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
Successful candidates for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Employment will be contingent upon passing an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the DHS, Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.
How to Apply & Helpful Information
Current State of Oregon employees must apply through your employee Workday account by going to Career – Internal - Find jobs to apply.
External Applicants - To apply for this position, click on the 'Apply' button to fill out the online application and submit by the posted closing date and time.
Get Noticed:
Your candidate profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase the amazing skills and experience, making you the best candidate for the position. The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum and special qualifications listed above. We do not accept a resume in place of the completed application. For additional tips, please visit the Oregon Job Opportunities page, Resources for Job Seekers.
Special Information:
- To receive Veterans' Preference, you must complete the required Task that will be sent to you through Workday and will be located under your account profile. This Task will prompt you to provide the appropriate documentation for your Veterans’ Preference point selection. For questions about documentation, please visit: Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who require VISA sponsorship will not be considered at this time.
- For questions about the job duties or application process, contact cwrecruitment.help@oregon.gov. Please be sure that you include the job requisition number.
- If you need an alternate format to apply, please describe the alternate format needed and contact our ADA Office at, ADA.DHS@dhsoha.state.or.us
- Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out this link: https://www.oregon.gov/jobs/Pages/support.aspx
- This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Note: This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.
DHS commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.