Social Service Specialist 1 - Child Protective Services Worker (CPS)

Initial Posting Date:

09/21/2026

Application Deadline:

09/29/2026

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,954 - $7,592

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Social Service Specialist 1 - Child Protective Services Worker (CPS)

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!  

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 currently seeking two Social Service Specialist 1-Child Protective Services Workers (CPS) to join our team based at the Alberta office located in NE Portland. 

 

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 Worker (CPS) 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  

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.  

• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required for this position. And 
• A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human service, or;  
• A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services and either:  
  • One 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 years of Human Services related experience, or;  
  • 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:  

• Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and impacted communities.
• Experience in preparing detailed narrative documentation and individual client cases, including case activities, client interactions, and other pertinent observations.
• Experience working with diverse populations. 
• Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in effective communication with individuals via telephone and face-to-face interactions.
• Demonstrated proficiency in navigating technology, inputting, and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases.
• Experience providing services and resources to children and families in social services settings.
• Experience with case management which includes assessing individual needs, developing and implementing personalized action plans, monitoring progress, and collaborating with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support.

  

Working Conditions  

• The Alberta office will be your daily work site, with frequent case work tasks being conducted in schools, clients homes, hospitals, and other community settings as needed.
• Employee’s work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.    
• 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 exhibit challenges in controlling their emotions.  
• Walking into stressful situations that may require quick decision-making skills to ensure safety of those being serviced and own physical safety. This may also be trauma inducing.  

 

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 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 

 

Background Checks and Requirements  

• 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. 
• 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.  
• 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.  

  

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). ​  
• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6.95%. 
• 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 ​Bonnie Nyssen​. Please include the REQ# when corresponding.   
• Email: [email protected]  

 

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!