Permanency Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Opportunity awaits!

Are you dedicated to working with American Indian and Alaskan Native children and their families, ensuring they receive the culturally appropriate care and support they deserve? Do you thrive on collaboration, and enjoy developing and improving relationships with diverse groups of people? Ready to make a difference? Join us and help shape a brighter future for all!

We are currently seeking a Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) to join our team based in The Dalles office. This position has the potential to become a Lead Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Caseworker.

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.   

As a Permanency Caseworker, you will: 

• Support families by playing a critical role in helping families achieve their goals while ensuring child safety.  

• Provide case management by working with diverse families, including American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, collaborating with tribal entities and community partners.  

• Engage effectively by interacting with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers using a trauma-informed and antiracist approach to achieve safety and optimal outcomes.  

• Developing strategies by creating and implementing strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas needing improvement.  

• Handling documentation and legal duties by conducting home visits, completing legal documentation, attending court hearings, and addressing child safety issues.  

• Balancing needs and legal requirements by ensuring a balance between the needs of the child and family while adhering to legal requirements.  

• Building rapport by establishing meaningful relationships with families to understand their dynamics and supporting their unique needs.  

As an Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Caseworker, you will: 

• Gain knowledge and understanding of ICWA Law and the impact of Oregon Department of Human Services involvement on Native American families both now and historically.

• Engage with Native American families in our community. This will include those with case involvement but could also involve outreach within the Indigenous Community here in The Gorge to help build trust and collaboration.

• Engage with our Native American community partners and collaborating with Tribes both in our area and all over the country to assist families and children in services and permanency plans.

• As a Lead ICWA Worker, there will be some responsibility in assisting staff in learning more about ICWA Law, history, and Rule as well as assisting/supporting workers in making connections with Native American resources in the area and in how to engage in Active Efforts.

• As a Lead ICWA Worker, there would be an emphasis on maintaining a caseload that would be mostly ICWA cases, which requires Active Efforts versus Reasonable Efforts (a high standard of engagement).

Interested in learning more? Here are some testimonials from current ODHS Workers.

Minimum Qualifications

Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress. Degree must be completed, not in progress. There are no exceptions or grace periods for finishing a degree.

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

• 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.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience evaluating client needs to identify appropriate community resources, culturally responsive services, agency programs, and Tribal partnerships.

• Experience preparing and maintaining thorough records, such as reports, narratives, and observations.

• Demonstrated understanding of working with diverse populations

• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated experience to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. This includes experience in writing clearly and concisely using plain language appropriate for diverse audiences, conveying information with clarity, and tailoring communication style to suit different stakeholders.

• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.

• Proficient in computer applications, including Microsoft Word or various database software programs.

Working Conditions

• Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites. 
• Employee’s work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.   
• In emergency situations, you will support caseworkers in finding placement for children. At times, this will require work outside of the traditional work schedule.
• This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services. 
• Frequent travel is required. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions. 
• You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions. 
• Walking into stressful situations that may require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing. 

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.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• 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.

Background Checks and Requirements

• 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.

• 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.

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

• Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress. 

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).  

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.

• 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 Yvette Medford. Please include the REQ# when corresponding.  

• Email: yvette.c.medford@odhs.oregon.gov

• Phone (call or text): 541-709-0306

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!