Social Services Specialist I

Salary: $23.96 - $28.62 Hourly
Location : Duluth, MN
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Job Number: 26-106/0931-01
Department: Public Health and Human Services
Opening Date: 07/07/2026
Closing Date: 7/21/2026 11:59 PM Central


Kind of Work


Are you interested in joining Saint Louis County's Public Health and Human Services Department as a para-professional providing services to people served in Children & Family Services? You can support your community through:

• Providing in-home and community-based direct services.
• Supervising parenting time between children and parents who are subject to child-protection involvement.
• Assessing client needs.
• Transporting clients.
• Coordinating with social workers and other providers.
• Maintaining of records, reports, information and referral.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026. The full salary range, including longevity pay, is $23.96 - $32.96 per hour.


This position is part of the represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

Distinguishing Features of Work


An employee in this class performs para-professional direct client services, supports professional staff and provides case management services to customers. Duties include assessing needs, determining program eligibility, providing direct services, maintaining accurate program records and reports and initiating customer referrals. The work is performed under the direction of assigned staff.

Work Environment
These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT : Talk/Speak; Near Vision and Inside. FREQUENT : Lift -While Stationary up to 10 lbs, Carry-While Moving up to 10 lbs, Sit; Stand; Walk; Hearing Close proximity (1-5 ft) and Hearing Distance (up to 20 ft); Midrange Vision; Works with others; Works around others; Customer/Public contact. OCCASIONAL : Feel/Finger; Grasp/Handle; Reach; Reach above shoulder; Rotate Neck; Stoop/Bend; Wrist turn (right and left); Far vision; Clients w/Behavior Challenges; Extended Day; and Drive.


NOTE: Social Services Specialist I employees working with CPS (Child Protection Services), CW (Child Welfare), FA (Family Assistance) and IIU (Initial Intervention Unit) will be required to frequently Lift-while stationary up to 20 lbs; occasionally Lift-while stationary 20-30 lbs; frequently Carry-while moving up to 20 lbs; occasionally Carry-while moving 20-30 lbs.

Selection Process

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• High school diploma or its equivalent.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

RATING SYSTEM:
Supplemental Questions will be 100% of the scoring process:

• Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 8-11.
• Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

Please Note: When answering the supplemental questions on the website, the webpage may time out after 30 minutes. It's recommended you draft your answers in a separate document and copy/paste the answers into the application when you're finished writing. Failure to answer and save all of the questions on the "Supplemental Questions" page within 30 minutes may result in the deletion of your answers by the application system.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• July 8, 2026 - Applicant screening will begin
• Week of July 20, 2026 - Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of August 3, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at


VETERAN PREFERENCE:
If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran: DD214 noting character of service
• Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran: DD214 & compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability).
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements. Click


PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS:
Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

DRUG TESTING:
Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.

BACKGROUND CHECK:
Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION:
All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Appointees to the position must successfully complete a six-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:
St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.
Eligible St. Louis County employees earn a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Medical Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Benefits
• Deferred Compensation
• Training and Advancement Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Wellness Program
• Pet Insurance

Benefits are prorated for part-time employees and administered in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement or management compensation plan.
01


Please type or clearly print your name.
02


The information you provide related to your education, training, and experience is subject to verification.I understand that giving false information, failing to accurately represent myself, or not providing required documentation as listed on the job announcement will result in disqualification.

• Yes

03


Are you legally authorized to work in the United States for St. Louis County?

• Yes
• No

04


All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas, and it does not currently participate in E-Verify. Will you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States?

• Yes, I will now, or will in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States
• No, I will not now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status) to work legally for St. Louis County in the United States

05


Do you have a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

07


SME Explanation: Questions 8-11 will be reviewed by a Subject Matter Expert (SME). The questions will be scored and used to help determine 100% of your score. For each question, please list the organization(s) and/or employers where you gained the experience. All information listed must also be supported in the work experience section of your application.I have read and understand the instructions given above and acknowledge that I understand my score is derived 100% from my answers to supplemental questions 8-11.

• Yes
• No

08


A Social Servies Specialist in the Public Health and Human Services Department works in a fast-paced environment which includes supervising family visits, providing transportation to children and families, processing paperwork, and collaborating with child protection social workers. Describe your formal education and/or work experience that has prepared you for this position.
09


Describe a situation in which you provided excellent customer service. Include in your answer the situation, the actions you took, and the final outcome.
10


Describe your paid work experience preparing and maintaining records and written reports. Include in your answer the types of records and reports. Also include the organization(s) and position title(s) as listed on this application.
11


Describe your experience working with computer systems and software programs such as Microsoft Office.
12


I certify that my responses to the questions above are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

• Yes
• No

Required Question