Initial Posting Date:
11/06/2025
Application Deadline:
11/13/2025
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$5,325 - $8,148
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Coaching and Training Specialist (Social Services Specialist 2)
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.
Would you enjoy the opportunity to support Protective Service caseworkers through their first year on the job with a focus on training and retention? Would you like to help Child Welfare supervisors uphold the Child Welfare mission of protecting Oregon’s abused and neglected children by providing them with safe and permanent homes? If so, we’d love to receive your application!
We are seeking a Coaching and Training Specialist (Social Service Specialist 2) to join our Child Welfare team in Portland at our East Branch office in a District PS CTS position covering East side (East and Gresham branches).
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 Coaching and Training Specialist, you will be:
- Supporting and reviewing the work of assigned caseworkers and ensuring compliance with policy.
- Orienting, training, and mentoring new caseworkers through their first year of employment (in the areas of protective services assessments, family engagement, report completion, ICWA application, court report writing, etc.).
- Providing ongoing case consultation and support to assigned staff (including reviewing case plans and placement decisions and advising on child protection and treatment intervention issues).
- Providing advice (guidance instead of advice) about child safety decisions, including the placement of children.
- Coaching staff so they are prepared for court hearings and CRB reviews. (just switched the order to have court first)
- Identifying problems/issues and making recommendations to supervisors, caseworkers, and the management team.
- Helping management develop effective and efficient office systems.
- Identifying staff who may need additional support or coaching and providing individual training.
- Helping develop and implement staff retention tools.
- Providing regular feedback to supervisors about workers who you are coaching and onboarding.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in social work/human services or related field AND one year experience with responsibility for child welfare case management (i.e. managing a caseload that involved case planning, placement decisions, child protection issues, or treatment interventions).
OR
A bachelor's degree in any field AND two years of experience managing a child welfare caseload that involved case planning, placement decisions, child protection issues, or treatment interventions.
OR
An associate degree in any field AND three years of experience managing a child welfare caseload that involved case planning, placement decisions, child protection issues, or treatment interventions.
This position requires a current and valid driver license and acceptable driving record.
Essential Attributes
We are looking for candidates with:
- Cross-program experience in at least two of the following areas: CPS, permanency, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), teen, and certification.
- Expertise at applying the Oregon Safety Model.
- The ability to form strong, collaborative relationships with peers, supervisors, and community partners.
- The ability to respond to urgent and emergent situations in a calm, productive, and timely manner.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Advanced problem-solving skills including time management skills.
Attention all candidates! A cover letter is required. 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. If selected as the top candidate for this position, and education is a requirement in the minimum qualifications, please be prepared to provide verification of your college/university degree with month/year of completion for further consideration. 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
- You may interact with a wide range of people including some who have experienced trauma, exhibit challenges in controlling their anger, or other unexpected emotions impacted by drug use, cognitive impairments, or other factors.
- You will work in numerous environments including state offices, schools, courtrooms, etc.
- This position has a schedule of Wednesday to Saturday with a 9am to 8pm shift each day, however working hours may be adjusted to provide planned services or crisis response.
- Flexibility is essential based on the demands of the work supporting new Protective Service case workers.
- Occasional paid overtime on nights and weekends may be required.
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.
Benefits
ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.
Employment Preference
Veterans’ preference:
Malheur County preference:
- If your primary residence is in Malheur County, you may choose to receive 5 percent preference points. The application process includes a required question where you can indicate if you’d like to receive preference or not.
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 Ryan Bennett. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.
- Email: ryan.bennett@odhs.oregon.gov