Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Job Title Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) Initial Posting Date: 05/11/2026 Application Deadline: 05/25/2026 Agency: Department of Human Services Salary Range: $4,954 - $7,592 Position Type: Employee Location: Enterprise, Oregon 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. Responsibilities Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred. Gather information through interviews with parents and children. Observe and analyze the safety of home environments. Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers. Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases. Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children. Present and testify in court. Minimum Qualifications A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required. A bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field. A bachelor’s degree unrelated to human services and either: One year of human services related experience. Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency. An associate degree and either: Two years of human services related experience. One year of human services related experience plus related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency. Essential Attributes Demonstrated ability to be self‑motivated and manage time well. Use of trauma‑informed practices sensitive to the child and family’s lived experience, language, race, and culture. Excellent written communication skills, including ability to write in plain language with minimal spelling and grammar issues. Effective engagement with families under challenging and time‑sensitive circumstances. Reliability as a resource for others and delivery of high quality work in a timely manner. Active listening skills and ability to manage one’s own emotions and those of others. Working Conditions Work conducted in offices, participants’ homes, and other community sites. Flexible schedule required; normal workday 8 hours, 8 AM–5 PM, with possible adjustments within a week for planned services. May require occasional compensated overtime during evenings and weekends. Required to participate in an on‑call rotation for child protective services. Frequent travel required; some travel may be many hours away or in hazardous weather conditions. Interaction with a wide range of people, including those who have experienced trauma and may exhibit challenges in controlling emotions. Situations requiring quick decision‑making to ensure safety of those served and own physical safety. Valid driver’s license required. Background Checks and Requirements Within three days of hire, completion of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I‑9 form and E‑Verify authorization. Criminal history and background check will be conducted; adverse findings may lead to disqualification. Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint‑based check. State of Oregon requires completion of the educational requirements for child protective investigation or custody determination positions. Benefits ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning. Cost of living adjustments. Annual salary increases (until reaching the top of the listed salary range). Comprehensive benefits package. Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Employment Preference Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications will receive candidate preference. General Information Permanent, full‑time position represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Salary range listed is the non‑PERS monthly range; PERS members receive a 6.95% increase. Recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification. Contact Information Recruiter: Yvette Medford (REQ# to reference) Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr Oregon Department of Human Services