Permanency Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

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Job Description:

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.    

• Monitor and assess safety, well-being, and development of children in care, and support transitions such as returning home or adoption.
• Keep accurate case records, including assessments, plans, and required documentation.
• Facilitate and observe parent–child visits, provide coaching, and arrange transportation.
• Maintain regular contact with families and partners while developing and updating safety and service plans.
• Coordinate services, make referrals, and track progress for children and families.
• Prepare reports, make recommendations, participate in court hearings and review boards.
• Collaborate with caregivers, schools, service providers, and ODHS partners to support child stability and permanency.

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.    

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.  

• You will work in ODHS offices, homes of participants, and community sites. 

• Your regular work schedule will be Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your hours of work will fluctuate on a daily and weekly basis to meet service needs. This may include some evening and weekend work and compensation overtime. 

• On-Call: You may be included in a rotating evening and weekend on-call schedule, though this is not currently required.  

• Travel: Occasional travel for meetings, training, and other case-related activities. This includes required occasional overnight travel.  

• Physical Requirements: Frequent physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds and assisting children with car seats. 

• This role involves handling sensitive topics related to trauma, abuse, and crises, requiring a trauma-informed approach that is essential to ensure a safe environment. 

• You may interact with individuals who have experienced trauma and may have difficulty managing their emotions. 

• Be prepared for stressful situations that require quick decision-making to ensure safety for yourself and others. 

• 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’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.    

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience assessing and identifying client needs; connecting individuals and families to appropriate services and resources through culturally responsive support; and effectively collaborating with cross-system partners and community organizations to promote client stability and continuity of care.
• Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases, including case activities, client interactions, and other pertinent observations for judicial proceedings.
• Experience working with and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those that may be experiencing mental health challenges, trauma or substance use issues. 
• Experience applying crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques to support individuals and families experiencing emotional distress, ensuring safety and stability while maintaining professionalism and empathy.
• Experience delivering communication by phone, in writing, using a computer and in face‑to‑face interactions with individuals of varying learning styles and needs.
• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as individually. 

Veterans’ and Oregon National Guard preference:

• Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans Resources.

• 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.

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 Tammie Moore. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-204510
• Email: Tammie.L.Moore@odhs.oregon.gov
• Phone (call or text): 971-201-0580