Social Service Specialist 1. Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker or Permanency Worker. Bilingual English/Spanish Required.

Initial Posting Date: 01/20/2026

Application Deadline: 02/03/2026

Agency: Department of Human Services

Salary Range: $5,169 - $7,923

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Social Service Specialist 1

Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker or Permanency Worker. Bilingual English/Spanish Required

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.

Bilingual Required (English/Spanish)

This position requires bilingual in both English and Spanish. This position may receive a 5% differential pay based on passing a language test.

Our Office of Child Welfare is seeking to fill multiple Social Service Specialist 1 positions in Eugene/Springfield - Lane County! 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!

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.

As a Social Service Specialist 1 - Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, or Permanency Worker - you will:

• Responds to assigned referrals of alleged child abuse/neglect in which children are alleged to be unsafe.
• Assessment activities as outlined in the procedure manual include the following: • Conduct child interviews • Conduct parent interviews • Gather collateral interviews including review of pertinent documents. • Make and document observations of the home environment. • Make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take children into protection when appropriate. • Identify and develop services plan for individual client needs. • Make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take protection when appropriate.
• Arrange medical evaluation for the children involved in the assessment, in order to document and have record of relevant medical findings related to the CPS assessment.
• Locate community programs/support groups and parenting classes
• Arrange substitute care placement of children who are taken into care.
• Attend court hearings (Permanency hearing, criminal charges and Juvenile court) related to CPS assessments.
• Attend MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meetings related to CPS assessments.
• Completing referral information for assessment evaluations (Forensic, Mental and Behavioral).
• Completing necessary court related information including petition work sheets, court reports, affidavits, etc.

As a Social Service Specialist 1 - Child Protective Services Worker or Permanency Worker - you will:

• Monitors the safety and well-being of the child by maintaining ongoing contact with the child per department policy and procedures.
• Facilitates child adjustment, assesses developmental progress and treatment needs, explains plan changes and prepares child for transitions including return home and adoption.
• Facilitates visitation of children in care with parents and other significant family members.
• Directly observes visits or other parent child contacts to assess relationship and provide feedback and counseling where appropriate.
• Make appropriate arrangements for transportation for the visits.
• Provides case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents of children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Develops a case plan for all legal parents utilizing evaluation information (psychological, treatment reports, etc.).
• Involves clients, and supportive extended family members and others where appropriate, to participate in case planning.
• Communicates clearly with clients about expectations, contact, timelines and case progress.
• Utilizes family meetings to develop case plans with other DHS divisions and community partners.
• Provides case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents and children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Works closely with the parents and schools to assess the child's achievement of appropriate academic goals.
• Provides direction and support to families in appropriately meeting the individual needs of their children.
• Communicates clearly with clients about expectations, contacts plan, and timelines.
• Reviews each case record received for completeness, including identity and whereabouts of all legal parents, documentation of births, divorces, marriages, ICWA status, etc. for any missing information and social history, including culture, disability, or language considerations of children and parents.
• Complete regular documentation requirements of OAR, policy, and procedure.
• Maintains case file including correspondence, treatment reports, and other documentation.
• Generates referrals and payments and maintains documentation.
• Completes other forms and maintains data.
• Attends Court hearings, make case presentations, prepares concise and comprehensive Court reports, testifies, and makes recommendations to Court when requested.
• Attend citizens review board reviews and provide verbal and written reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in Human Services or a field related to human service; ORA bachelor's degree unrelated to Human Services and either:

• One year of Human Services related experience;
• Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency. OR An associate degree and either:
• Two years of Human Services related experience;
• 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 alone will not meet the Minimum Qualification for this position. Degree must be completed, not in progress.

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 sometimes 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 may 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 Brent Lawrence. Please include the REQ# when corresponding. Email: brent.lawrence@odhs.oregon.gov