Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) – Multiple Positi
Oregon Department of Human Services, Portland, OR, United States
Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, any position engaged in child protective investigations and/or custody determinations must meet the educational requirements. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions. Degree must be completed, not in progress.
Initial Posting Date:
04/17/2026
Application Deadline:
04/26/2026
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,833.00 - $7,407.00 Monthly
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) – Multiple Positions (West Portland)
Job Description
ODHS is 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.
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.
Responsibilities
Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred.
Gather information through interviews with parents and children.
Observe and analyze the safety of home environments.
Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers.
Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases.
Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
Present and testify in court.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR
A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either:
One (1) 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 (2) years of Human Services related experience; OR
One (1) year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
Essential Attributes
Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities.
Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases for judicial proceedings.
Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.
Experience adapting communication style to ensure clarity and foster understanding amongst diverse audiences such as public speaking, individual client inquiries, court testimonies, and attorneys and judges.
Experience navigating technology, inputting and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases to verify information accurately.
Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.
Experience with case management which includes assessing individual needs, developing and implementing personalized action plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support.
Working Conditions
The employee will work a standard professional workweek, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends.
Your work will be conducted in the assigned ODHS office (Portland on N Webster Street or David Street), participant homes, and other community sites.
This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services.
Frequent travel is required. Some travel may be hours away. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions.
You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may be experiencing emotional and/or financial distress.
May experience stressful situations that require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being served and your own physical safety. This may be trauma inducing.
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.
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.
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 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
The recruiter for this position is Sugei Hernandez. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.
Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov
Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Initial Posting Date:
04/17/2026
Application Deadline:
04/26/2026
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,833.00 - $7,407.00 Monthly
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) – Multiple Positions (West Portland)
Job Description
ODHS is 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.
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.
Responsibilities
Respond to referrals and determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred.
Gather information through interviews with parents and children.
Observe and analyze the safety of home environments.
Gather collateral information from school personnel, doctors, therapists, and law enforcement officers.
Fulfill documentation requirements and enter info into databases.
Arrange medical evaluations and substitute care placement for children.
Present and testify in court.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR
A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either:
One (1) 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 (2) years of Human Services related experience; OR
One (1) year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.
Essential Attributes
Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities.
Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases for judicial proceedings.
Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.
Experience adapting communication style to ensure clarity and foster understanding amongst diverse audiences such as public speaking, individual client inquiries, court testimonies, and attorneys and judges.
Experience navigating technology, inputting and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases to verify information accurately.
Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.
Experience with case management which includes assessing individual needs, developing and implementing personalized action plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support.
Working Conditions
The employee will work a standard professional workweek, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may vary based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends.
Your work will be conducted in the assigned ODHS office (Portland on N Webster Street or David Street), participant homes, and other community sites.
This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services.
Frequent travel is required. Some travel may be hours away. Some travel may be in hazardous weather conditions.
You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma and may be experiencing emotional and/or financial distress.
May experience stressful situations that require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being served and your own physical safety. This may be trauma inducing.
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.
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.
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 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
The recruiter for this position is Sugei Hernandez. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.
Email: Sugei.Hernandez@odhs.oregon.gov
Phone (call or text): 971-375-8675
#J-18808-Ljbffr