Child Protective Services (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date

04/15/2026

Application Deadline

04/29/2026

Agency

Department of Human Services

Salary Range

4,954.00 - 7,592.00

Position Type

Employee

Position Title

Child Protective Services (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! Picture yourself as the advocate for children! Your mission is to protect their futures while addressing the needs of families and adhering to legal obligations. With each home visit and report you complete; you’re making a significant impact on the lives of children in Oregon.

Our Office of Child Welfare is seeking to fill multiple Child Protective Services (Social Service Specialist 1) positions in North Bend! In this role, you will work directly with families with whom you will be able to share and celebrate successes. Come join us in doing this important work!

The following YouTube link will provide more information about this position:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Dx3eyBwdks

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.

Child Protective Services (Social Service Specialist 1), You Will

• Safety and Support: Provides services to children and families to assess protective capacity, maintain children in the family home when possible and support successful reunification.
• A Balancing Act: Navigate the needs of the child and the family while balancing legal requirements.
• Documentation: Maintain a written record of your casework activity in specialized case management software (OR-KIDS) and provide accurate, detailed, chronological case notes of all case contacts and activity on a daily basis.
• Assessment and Interviews: Conduct assessment and fact-finding interviews related to child safety, risk of abuse, neglect, or harm. You will also address necessary care and needs levels of the children and families.
• Decision-Making: Analyzing collected information, you will determine appropriate child placement, considering each family’s unique circumstances with a focus toward preserving the family system and engaging larger family structures.
• Communication: You will create reports, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations in office, community, or legal settings.
• Relationship management: Meet regularly with clients to develop and maintain professional working relationships with them which encourages, assists, and empowers them to make needed changes. Maintain availability to clients by phone, community, and office appointments.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human service;
  
  

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.
  

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to use trauma-informed de-escalation techniques.
• Experience utilizing time management, organization, and prioritization skills to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, thoroughly, and concisely, verbally and in writing, in a variety of settings.
• Experience working well with people from a wide variety of backgrounds through a culturally competent lens.
• Experience using computer skills for word processing and navigating different databases.
• Experience in a helping profession that has at least some social work focus or lens; examples include teaching, law enforcement, medical care, domestic violence advocacy, CASA volunteer, etc.
  
  

Experience alone will not meet the Minimum Qualification for this position. Degree must be completed, not in progress. Confirm you meet this job requirement.

Attention all candidates!

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.

• Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.
• 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.
  
  

Working Conditions

• The duties of this position include work with challenging and sometime hostile clients, work with LEA in sometimes unsafe and unsanitary home environments.
• This work requires a valid Oregon Driver’s license. Some travel is required, including working on weekends or evenings.
• This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal work day of 8 hours, from 8am to 5pm. However, working hours my be adjusted within a given week to provide planned services. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.
• Work requires ability to prioritize work related to child safety and respond quickly to emergent situations.
• Work is done in office and field, including client homes. Families served include mandated clients who may be hostile and resistant.
• Requires ability to use computer technology, including a working knowledge of Outlook, Microsoft WORD, and IIS/FACIS/OR KIDS.
  
  

Background Checks And Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.
• *A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.
  
  

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’ Preference

• Veterans’ preference information.
• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.
  
  

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 Bonnie Nyssen. Please include the REQ# when corresponding.
• Email: bonnie.nyssen@odhs.oregon.gov