Hotline: 678-408-1354

Social Services Specialist 1 (Active Efforts Worker)

DHS17-1092

A career with the Oregon Department of Human Services is a chance to change lives…one at a time. Do you want the ability to impact families in a positive way? Bring your professional knowledge, excellent communications skills and emotional intelligence to work with our Children, Adults, and Family programs.

We are currently seeking permanent full-time proactive learners and resilient contributors to join our Indian Child Welfare Act team within our Portland (NE Glisan) office.

DHS is guided by our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Respect, Service Equity, Responsibility, Stewardship and Professionalism.

In this role, you will be working with children and families who fall under the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act. The Social Service Specialist will case manage American Indian/Alaskan Native children and families who have voluntary or involuntary involvement within DHS Child Welfare. Experience working collaboratively with tribal entities, community based partners and culturally appropriate service providers are essential for this position.

Some of what you’ll do as a Social Service Specialist 1:

Safely decrease the disproportionate representation of ICWA/Native children in foster care. Increase community support, engagement and collaboration with Tribes and the Native Community. Ensure culturally specific services are accessible to clients. Provide the Departments ability to achieve 100% active efforts on all Native/ICWA cases. Increase Tribal collaboration efforts including but not limited to;

  • participation on ICWA Advisory
  • establish regular tribal communication
  • evaluate the feasibility of developing a pretest and post-test for families following Child Welfare engagement
  • conduct native/ICWA focus groups
  • coordinate district training activities

Facilitate family engagement meetings to ensure active efforts are provided prior to placement without compromising child safety. Participate in District and Statewide committees. Coordinate contact with identifiable tribal affiliation. Ensure culturally responsive service array is accessible.

Working Conditions

Frequent travel. Must have a valid drivers’ license and an acceptable driving record. If no driver’s license, must be able to provide alternative method of transportation. Must be able to visually/physically evaluate abuse of child and home environment.

This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment. Hours of work may vary from day to day and may include evening or weekend work. Overtime must be pre-approved by Human Services Manager.

We’re looking for professionals who have successfully demonstrated:

  • Knowledge and practice of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the new Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) guidelines/rules.
  • Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
  • Strong Child Protective Service assessment skills.
  • Experience managing time, prioritizing, organizing, scheduling and planning your work to meet time lines.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Understanding of trauma informed practice.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with Native American Tribes.
  • Skill in developing and conducting training to staff and community partners.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Experience working with families from diverse cultures.
  • Understanding community public relations.
  • Engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
  • Able to operate multiple computer applications.

WHO SHOULD APPLY? Professionals with a Bachelor’s or higher level degree in Social Work/Human Services or a closely related field; OR
A Bachelor’s degree in a field not closely related (to Social Work/Human Services) and one year of human services related experience (i.e., work providing assistance to individuals and groups with issues such as economically disadvantaged, employment, abuse and neglect, substance abuse, aging, disabilities, prevention, health, cultural competencies, inadequate housing).

Requirements for position: FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) clearance.

Applicants that most closely match the minimum qualifications and requested skills will be invited for an interview.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Veteran’s Points :

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be give veterans’ preference. To receive preference, veterans must attach appropriate documentation as outlined by the Department of Administrative Services at the following website: Veterans Resources . Veterans may also call the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 1-800-692-9666.

Questions and inquiries regarding this recruitment may be directed to:

Nora Leyva-Esquivel, Workforce Recruitment Consultant

nora.l.leyva-esquivel@state.or.us

503-269-4222

TTY users please contact the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service: 1-800-735-2900 and ask the Telecommunications Assistant to connect you to 503-945-5698 (TTY Users).

If you are offered employment, the offer will be contingent upon the outcome of an abuse check, criminal records check and driving records check, and the information shall be shared with the DHS, Office of Human Resources (OHR). Any criminal or founded abuse history will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING US!

The Oregon Department of Human Services/Oregon Health Authority is committed to affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and workplace diversity.

Core benefits

Medical, vision and dental insurance

  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans for the employee and qualified family members
  • $5,000 in employee basic life insurance

Retirement benefits

  • Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP)
  • Employer paid defined benefit and defined contribution programs

**Effective November 1, 2016, SEIU represented employees who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95%. Upon becoming a PERS participating member, SEIU employees pay the employee 6% contribution to PERS.

Paid leaves and other benefits

  • Sick leave earned at the rate of 8 hours per a month with no maximum accumulation
  • Vacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month with accrual rate increases at 5-year increments
  • 24 hours personal leave earned each fiscal year
  • Ten paid holidays a year

The state also provides access to an innovative Employee Assistance Program that offers work-life counseling, along with homeowner, legal and family resources.

Optional benefits

  • Term life (employee, spouse or domestic partner, and dependents
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Option to enroll in the Oregon Savings Growth Plan, a deferred compensation program offering a wide variety of investment options.

The following information describes typical benefits available for employees. Actual benefits received may differ by position or branch of government or be prorated for other than full time work.

Share this job

Contact Us

Eltas EnterPrises Inc.
3978 Windgrove Crossing
Suite 200A
Suwanee, Georgia
30024, USA
contact@eltasjobs.com

Subscribe to our Newsletter