Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date:

11/05/2025

Application Deadline:

11/12/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Child Protective Services Worker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Job Description:

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) 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! Step into a transformative role where your passion for the well-being of children and your ability to connect with families come together to create lasting change. Become a catalyst for positive impact in the lives of Oregon’s children and their loved ones. Are you ready to unlock the potential within every family—and make a real difference?

We are seeking a Child Protective Services Workers (Social Services Specialist 1) for our Portland office on N Webster Street! Please visit our Equal Pay Analysis page to learn more about how we evaluate employee compensation, and to access our Equal Pay Calculator.

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 Child Protective Services (CPS) Worker, you will: 

• 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. 

Interested in learning more? Here are some testimonials from current ODHS Workers.

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.

Per pursuant to ORS 419B.021, states that 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. 

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience screening and assessing clients’ needs to determine appropriate community and culturally responsive resources.

• Experience preparing and maintaining thorough and objective records, such as reports, narratives, and observations.

• Experience working and collaborating with diverse populations in a manner that demonstrates respect and advocacy.

• Advanced level of verbal and written communication skills, including using plain language to explain complex information. 

• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.

Attention all candidates! Clearly describe how you meet the essential attributes listed above in your cover letter.

• Your resume (optional) and cover letter (optional) may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• 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 hiring process and will be used to determine your starting salary range if you are selected as a final candidate.

• Please include detailed work history that includes the month/year start date and month/year end date for each role/job. If applicable for college degrees, please clearly indicate if a degree has been completed when providing educational history (graduation dates are not required).

• If you are selected as the final candidate and a degree is listed as a minimum qualification for the position, please be prepared to provide verification of your completed education before moving forward in the hiring process.

• The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

• 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 work schedule is a 4-10 (four days per week, 10 hours per shift), 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday – Wednesday. The Sunday shift is non-negotiable; the Monday – Wednesday shift start and end times are negotiable.

• During the first 6 months of employment, the training schedule is 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

• Hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime may be required.   

• Your work will be conducted in the assigned ODHS office (Portland on N Webster 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. Additional background check information.

• 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:

• 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 Alissa Walker. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.

• Email: ALISSA.WALKER@odhs.oregon.gov

• Phone (call or text): 503-519-1807