What you will be doing
As a Social Services Associate (SSA) assigned to the function area of Initial Assessment (IA), you will provide a multitude of supportive services to Protective Services Specialists and Supervisors. These supportive services are identified collaboratively by the SSA, PSS, and Supervisor. The support is primarily in para-professional, administrative duties. These support services include but are not limited to timely and accurate documentation of information into the OCS database, completion of other case related paperwork/applications/packets/referrals, obtaining collateral documentation from other states and organizations, etc.
In addition to administrative support, the SSA focuses on diligent searches for absent parents, searches for relative placement, and searches for non-relative foster care placements. Duties also include frequently transporting children, supervising children, supervising visits between parents and children, and providing placement support to foster parents and relatives.
Our organization, mission and culture
The mission of the Office of Children's Services in Alaska is: safe children and safe families; ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children; strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with tribes.
Come and help us meet our goal by following our Guiding Principles, which include:
Every child has the right to be safe.
Children remain in their home whenever safely possible.
Children need lifelong connections to their family, community, and culture.
Foster care is temporary, every child deserves a safe and permanent home.
Empower young people to succeed.
Community partnerships are essential to engaging and supporting families.
Tribes and OCS have a respectful government-to-government relationship.
Benefits of joining our team
The Anchorage OCS office is a fast paced environment that requires flexibility, teamwork, communication, and collaboration. As a member of the Initial Assessment (IA) team, you will work with the Manager and other SSA's, Protective Services Specialists, and Supervisors who pride themselves on being a high functioning team. We support one another in our provision of customer service to children, families, and the community while upholding the values of OCS and achieving the agency's mission and vision.
Working environment you can expect
This position is located in the Anchorage Regional Office in midtown off Tudor Rd and C St, and is within walking distance to downtown amenities and restaurants. Join our team as we partner with community members to establish safe and stable homes for vulnerable children and youth needing temporary or permanent care. We offer multiple skill development opportunities, both in person and virtual, in the fields of clerical support, customer service, systems operations, and awareness of culture and race.
For information on the Anchorage community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.
Who we are are looking for:
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Customer/Quality Focus: Anticipates, monitors, and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an effective, appropriate manner. Demonstrates commitment to identifying customers’ apparent and underlying needs and continually seeks to provide the highest quality service and product to all customers.
Adaptability: adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
Computer Skills: Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work.
Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.
To view the general description and example of duties for a Social Services Associate, please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs