Protective Services Specialist 1/2

Protective Service Specialist 1/2

This position will be filled at either the 1 or 2 level depending on the applicant's qualifications and job experience. It is recommended that you apply for all levels if you are qualified. This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify. The Department of Family and Community Services, Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Protective Service Specialist 1/2 in Anchorage, Alaska.

What You Will Be Doing Under the direction of the Regional Permanency Specialist, these specialty positions focus on aspects of casework specific to achieving permanency for children in OCS custody. Duties may include completing diligent relative searches; requesting and reviewing child-specific records; assisting with the full disclosure process; assisting with the home study referral process; gathering necessary documents for adoption and guardianship packets; regular communication with legal parties, adoption/guardianship attorneys, and Tribes; writing home study updates; and some primary casework responsibilities.

Our Organization, Mission, and Culture The Office of Children's Services strives for a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount and employees at all levels promote a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully. The Mission of the Office of Children's Services is: Ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes. Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values.

Benefits of Joining Our Team This is an exciting time to join the Anchorage Permanency Team! Efforts are underway to develop and improve our processes for achieving appropriate timely permanency outcomes for children in OCS custody. This is an opportunity to support an important part of the agency's mission while also developing further expertise in all aspects of permanency.

The Office of Children's Services is committed to an organizational culture that values each team member. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate and value the diversity of our employees, partners, and families we serve.

Your first twelve months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal virtual training and on-the-job training with your supervisor and with other colleagues.

Full-time benefits of this position include but are not limited to: Insurance Benefits; Retirement Benefits; Paid Leave; and twelve paid holidays per year. Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information.

Working Environment You Can Expect The Office of Children's Services Anchorage Regional Office is located in mid-town Anchorage. The working environment will consist of a typical office setting as well as regular field work throughout the community. Some travel may be required. Travel in outlying areas may involve small aircraft and overnight stays.

The Office of Children's Services requires staff to work after hours and on-call. Overtime is also an expectation, when necessary, as PSS staff members are considered essential.

We Are Seeking a Candidate with the Following Competencies:

1. Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
2. Advocacy: Develops and presents the client's, patient's, and/or customer's interests in all matters.
3. Human Services: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, theories, and practices used in the planning, design, and implementation of programs that provide a broad range of social supports to individuals and families.
4. Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).
5. Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Special Note All positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check. Additionally, while the Division does have vehicles assigned to it, they may not always be available for staff use. Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work-related matters. Current automotive insurance must be in place prior to use of a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the State.

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.