Child Protection Specialist

MONTANA DPHHS

Healthy People. Healthy Communities.

Department of Public Health & Human Services

Child Protection Specialist

Req. #

Wolf Point - $42,640.00/yr.
Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Training assignment possible

Deadline: Until Filled

Women and/or minorities may be under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Job Overview: This position provides family-centered services within a trauma-informed system to assure safety, permanency, and well-being for children who are at risk of or have been subjected to child maltreatment.
Essential Functions (Major Duties or Responsibilities include but not limited to the below}:

Child Safety
• Conducts timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment, in accordance with requirements of state and federal statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides.
• Documents and communicates safety threats to all involved, including preparation of affidavits for District Court when necessary. Provides appropriate level of intervention to assure safety of all families in need of Child Protective Services (CPS); continuously reviews progress made by families to eliminate safety threats.
• Places child(ren) in out-of-home care, when necessary, and ensures that the placement is safe and complies with statutory and policy preferences and is in the best interests of the child(ren).

Permanency Plans for Children
• Engages families in the establishment of a permanency plan when needed and required, and assures plan follows order of placement preference as set forth in statute and policy.

Child Well Being
• Assures child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case.
• Shares outcomes of evaluations with parent(s) and/or placement and determines if additional services are needed.
• Makes recommendations for medical, psychological, and other services.

Required for the first day of work:
• Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families, under difficult circumstances, to gather sufficient information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Ability to identify problems, develop and implement solutions.
• Ability to communicate information both orally and in writing so others will understand.
• Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, even those who do not share the same point of view and may be violent or angry and maintain them over time.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• 
  Bachelor's degree in social work, human services or psychology, or directly related degree.
  • Two years of social services work experience, or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.
  • Other combinations of education and experience maybe considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Child protection work experience and professional certification preferred.
  • Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples is highly preferred.

Preferred:
• Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family centered social work practice.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures for Child Protection Specialists.
• Knowledge of the laws and rules pertaining to child protection services such as child safety, permanency and well-being; Indian Child Welfare Act.

Contact Name: Department of Public Health and Human Services | Contact Phone:

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

TO APPLY: Click the Apply link to go to the Montana Official State Website and apply online. Follow the instructions, you will need to answer the Supplemental Question listed under "Materials Required of Applicants" and attach it to your application.