Child Protective Service Worker

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the Equity North Star as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of racism, discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to apply.

Imagine a role where you engage with children, families, resource parents and caregivers to achieve safety and optimal outcomes for Oregon’s children and families. Imagine yourself conducting child safety assessments through an equity and culturally relevant lens. If you're looking to make a difference and this sounds intriguing, this Child Protective Service Worker (CPS) position may be for you!

Join our team in a crucial role where you respond to assigned referrals on alleged child abuse or neglect, conducting field assessments to determine the situation's validity. As a CPS worker, you'll be pivotal in identifying child safety threats, devising protective actions, and establishing ongoing safety plans to safeguard children from harm.

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), a place to belong and make a difference!

When you join the ODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS’ overall mission and vision. 

We are committed to building an antiracist and equitable agency. Equity is foundational to our role as a human services agency, and we are committed to integrating equity into all we do. The Equity North Star has four points that explain the agency's goals related to equity, inclusion, and racial justice.

We know that life is unpredictable and ODHS cares about keeping you well. Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and competitive benefits packages including health, dental, vision and much more!

Summary of Job 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. 

A Child Protective Services Worker’s duties include:

Safety and Support: Protect children’s safety and support families by engaging with them, resource parents, and caregivers. Using a trauma-informed and antiracist approach.

A Balancing Act: Navigate the needs of the child and the family while balancing legal requirements.

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.

Communication: You will create reports, case notes, testify in court, and communicate with diverse populations in office, community, or legal settings.

What you need to qualify

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 experience:

Experience connecting with children and families under time-sensitive and challenging circumstances, to gather information and make informed decisions that are inclusive of the child and the family’s language, race and culture.

Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and with a team.

Experience utilizing time management, organization, and prioritization skills to meet deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to write clearly, thoroughly, and concisely, and convey complex conclusions with recommended actions in a time sensitive manner.

Demonstrated ability to think analytically and utilize critical thinking skills in high pressure situations.

Demonstrated ability to engage in difficult conversations and defuse confrontational situations.

Experience collecting information to conduct formal investigations and/or formal reviews.

Demonstrated ability to attend court hearings and testify related to Child Protective Service Assessments.

Please be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and the essential attributes within your application materials. These two areas will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.  Make sure to read the ‘How to Apply’ section for any other requirements.

Working conditions

Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.

A valid Driver’s License from the state in which the employee resides is required. This position requires the ability to prioritize work related to child safety and respond quickly to emergent situations.

The duties in this position include work with challenging and sometimes hostile clients, work with Law Enforcement Agencies in sometimes unsafe and unsanitary home environments.

This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal workday of 8 hours, from 8 AM to 5 PM; however, working hours may be adjusted within a given week, to provide, planned services. Occasional compensated overtime during evening, overnight or weekend hours may be required or on call.

Occasional travel around the county is required. Some travel may be hours away.

Walking into stressful situations that may require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing.

Application instructions & requirements

Your work history profile and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.

Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.

After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

Additional requirements

Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check.  Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check. 

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.

A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required.

Helpful information

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out our Oregon job opportunities page.

If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact Sugei Hernandez via email at Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov . Please be sure to include the job requisition number.