Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date: 06/10/2026 Application Deadline: 06/24/2026 Agency: Department of Human Services Salary Range: $4,954 - $7,592 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) Job Description: The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. Opportunity awaits! Imagine a role where you engage with children, families, resource parents and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families. Imagine yourself conducting child safety assessments through an equity and culturally relevant lens. If you're looking to make a difference and this sounds intriguing, this Child Protective Services Worker position may be for you! 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 Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, you will: Respond to referrals, interviewing children, families and contacts. Observe home environments, conduct child safety assessments, and make determinations of abuse or neglect, taking protective action when necessary. Develop service plans to meet the needs of children and families. Arrange medical evaluations, placements, and connect families with services and resources. Create reports, safety plans, assessment evaluations, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations. Interested in learning more? Here are some testimonials from current ODHS Workers and an informational session regarding these positions found here: Minimum Qualifications A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position. A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; 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. 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. Essential Attributes We are looking for candidates with: Experience managing competing deadlines by independently organizing workload and meeting timelines in a fast‑paced environment. Experience using trauma‑informed de-escalation strategies in crisis situations, including collaborating with a team to ensure safety and follow-up care. Experience using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) and entering or retrieving data from organizational databases. Experience collaborating with internal and external partners to complete shared projects or resolve client needs. Experience writing documents or reports that include a conclusion and recommended action (examples: case plans, court reports, investigative reports). Attention all candidates! Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Your resume may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. 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. If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring 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. 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. Working Conditions Your work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT on-site in Klamath Falls, OR; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required. Your position involves regular travel, including long-distance travel and travel in hazardous weather conditions. Some travel may occur in remote locations without reliable cell service. Occasional overnight travel may be required. After your first year, you will begin participating in the on-call rotation that supports child protective services. Your work will be conducted in offices, participant’s homes, and other community sites. Activities include traversing stairs, moving on uneven terrain, and helping children (weighing up to 0 pounds) in and out of car seats. Your 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. Background Checks and Requirements A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position. 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. 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. 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’ 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. General Information 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. 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 Heather Whelan. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number: REQ-201623. Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Phone (call or text): View phone number on click.appcast.io Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”