Child Welfare Specialist I/II/III - ASK Unit

This position may be located in Lawton or Duncan, Oklahoma.

Working in Child Welfare for Oklahoma's largest state agency means having the opportunity to positively impact the safety and well-being of children and families for generations to come. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, OKDHS has a place for you! Join our team and create pathways to hope for all Oklahomans. 

Extensive training will be provided to new employees.

Annual Salary

• Level I   H23A - $37,280.75 Full State Employee Benefits
• Level II  H23B - $40,077.79  Full State Employee Benefits
• Level III H23C - $43,968.62  Full State Employee Benefits

Applicants who possess a Master's Degree in Social Work will be entitled to a salary incentive of an additional 5%.

On-call positions will receive an additional bonus ranging from $75 to $100 every two weeks, depending on responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Child Welfare Specialist, Level I

• Completion of 90 hours from an accredited college or university; 
• OR 3 years of experience related to child welfare work;
• OR A combination of education and experience.

Child Welfare Specialist, Level II

• A bachelor's degree (in any field) to qualify;
• OR One year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist.

Child Welfare Specialist, Level III

• A Master's degree;
• OR a Bachelors Degree plus one year of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist;
• OR Two years of experience as a Child Welfare Specialist.

Serves with Actively Seeking Kinnections (ASK), a specialized unit that searches out, gathers, and informs family connections to ensure that a child stays connected to important people in their life.

Job Duties

• Position creates methods to expedite the identification, recruitment and retention of kinship families for a child who is in or at-risk of entering the child welfare system. These kinship resource families are relatives and persons who have a kinship relationship with the child, and who are found to be suitable, capable, and willing to serve as caretakers for the child.
• Conducts interviews with the parents, child, and all other known family, friends, and community members, including searches within case notes and in on-line searches, in order to identify additional family connections.

All New Employees will complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program

• Learn treatment and preventive services;
• Visit children in placement and conduct assessments of children and families;
• Refer families and children to services in the community;
• Participate in investigations of abuse and neglect of children, and prepare case reports and other documentation;
• Attends court hearings and provides testimony;
• Consults with the District Attorney and other attorneys, and tribal partners regarding efforts to protect the child, reunite the family or other permanent plans for the child; 
• Provides direct services to children in placement,
• And other duties as assigned.

Travel is EXTENSIVE  - Must possess a valid driver's license and must maintain required car insurance.  State vehicles will be available for use to carry out the duties of the position.

Click here to see what it is like to work in Child Welfare.

If you have questions, please contact DHS.Careers@okdhs.org

OKDHS is a Fair Chance Employer.

This is a position in the Oklahoma Civil Service.

Announcement Number: 26-GH012

*83009565/JR50901

Salary : $37,281 - $43,969