Child Welfare Specialist I/II

This position is located in Stigler, Oklahoma

Working in Child Welfare for Oklahoma's largest state agency means having the opportunity to positively impact the safety and wellbeing of children and families for generations to come. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, OKDHS has a place for you! Join our team and create pathways to hope for all Oklahomans.

Annual Salary

• Level I H23A - $38,169.36 + Full State Employee Benefits
• Level II H23B - $41,874.84 + Full State Employee Benefits

Applicants who possess a Bachelor's degree or a Master's Degree in Social Work will be entitled to a salary incentive of an additional 5% and 10%, respectively.

Previous Employees who completed the CORE training are entitled to a $1,000 bonus at sign on, and another $2,500 at the completion of one year of employment.

Minimum Qualifications

Child Welfare Specialist, Level I - To qualify, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree (in any field) to qualify.

Child Welfare Specialist, Level II - To qualify, the applicant must have a master's degree, OR a bachelor's degree, and one year of professional social work experience.

Employee Benefits

• Health Benefit Allowance to significantly cover the cost of health, dental, and benefits plans on top of your regular salary,
• Overtime plans or comp paid time off for Child Welfare Workers
• State matched retirement contribution plans
• 11 paid holidays, 15 days of paid vacation leave, and 15 days of paid sick leave per year
• Employee Assistance Program offering 12 free counseling sessions annually and 24/7 access to a crisis-trained staff
• Free Child Care through KITH care through May of 2022
• Mileage reimbursement
• Teleworking plans
• Technology supports such as laptop, cell phone, and internet hotspot

Job Duties - Level I

• Complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program
• Learn adoptive services such as recruiting, screening, evaluating, and documenting activities, and providing reports to the adoption unit and the courts;
• Learn treatment and preventive services;
• Visit children in placement and conduct assessments of children and families;
• Refer families and children to services in the community;
• Participate in investigations of abuse and neglect of children, and prepare case reports and other documentation;
• Attends court hearings and provides testimony;
• Consults with the District Attorney and other attorneys, and tribal partners regarding efforts to protect the child, reunite the family or other permanent plans for the child;
• Provides direct services to children in placement,
• And other duties as assigned.
• Ability to work on a diverse team and directly with people from diverse backgrounds specifically racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and disabilities.

Job Duties - Level II

• Complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program
• May perform duties of Level I Plus:
• Employees receive intakes and assess or investigate allegations of abuse or neglect completing appropriate documentation, and assess child safety and recommend the appropriate level of intervention;
• Initiate procedures to remove the child from the home if in present danger;
• Coordinate actions with law enforcement entities and the District Attorney;
• Provide social work services to families applying or approved for adoption or foster care; recruits and trains foster and adoptive parents;
• Conducts home visits and reviews the child's psycho-social, medical, developmental, and education histories;
• Completes evaluations and approves or disapproves applicants;
• Facilitates and participates in family team meetings.
• Prepare and coordinate legal documents for presentation to the court, attend court hearings and provide testimony,
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Will work on a diverse team and directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Job Responsibilities

• Child Protective Services (CPS) - Investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect. Protects the safety of children and provides services to help families with any barriers that can result in the safety of their children to be at risk.
• Family-Centered Services (FCS) - Preserves and strengthen the protective capacities of the parents to keep the child in their own home with a focus on increasing safety for the child and family in order to prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements.
• Permanency Planning (PP) - Provides services to families that include involving family members as participants in their own treatment plan. Provides placements for children which will meet their medical, educational, and physical needs. Returns children to their own homes as soon as their needs can be met in the home of their parent(s), and arranges a permanent plan when return to the home is not possible.

Travel is EXTENSIVE - Must possess a valid driver's license and must maintain required car insurance. State vehicles will be available for use to carry out the duties of the position, or mileage reimbursement if personal vehicles are used.

Applicants must also pass a criminal background check and a reference check.

If you have questions, please contact DHS.Careers@okdhs.org

OKDHS is a Fair Chance Employer.

This is a position in the Oklahoma Civil Service.

Announcement Number - 22-JD017

83003770, 83007053

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