Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3 - Bethel (PCN 063729M) - State of Alaska

 
 
What You Will Be Doing:
This position is responsible for the Bethel-Based Child Protection Services. As a Protective Services Specialist (PSS), you will be responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services unit, the Investigations & Assessment unit, or as a Generalist covering both. This case-carrying positions offer a range of duties, including investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, and gathering information about family dynamics/functionality.  

A PSS will develop plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their protective factors, may place children with a relative or licensed foster home when applicable, provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families, write and submit reports to the Court, work closely with Tribal/Community Partners, make frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody, and make referrals to other service providers and agencies.  

For more information: OCS Practice Model.
 
Our Organization, Mission, and Culture:
The Mission of the Office of Children's Services is: Ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes.

The Office of Children's Services is dedicated to a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount. Employees all contribute to building a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.
 
Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values.
 
The Benefits of Joining Our Team:
The Office of Children's Services is committed to an organizational culture that values each team member. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate and value the diversity of our employees, partners, and families we serve.

Your first twelve months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal virtual training and on-the-job training with your supervisor and with other colleagues.

Full-time benefits of this position include but are not limited to: Insurance Benefits; Retirement Benefits; Paid Leave; and eleven paid holidays per year. Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information.
 
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
The Western Regional Office is in Bethel, Alaska, with two field offices in Aniak and St. Mary’s: Servicing over 60 communities surrounding the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Traveling is a requirement to some of Alaska's most rural villages by using any of the following: small aircraft, boats, snow machines, 4-wheelers, and winter ice-roads. There are occasional overnight stays in some very rustic conditions with some exposure to extreme weather conditions.

The Office of Children's Service's staff are considered essential and are required to work after hours, on-call hours, and through pandemics, natural disasters, and all holidays that land on their rotational work week.
 
For information on the Bethel and Alaska’s Western Region community (including schools, hospitals, housing), please review the Alaska Community Profiles.
 
Who We Are Looking For:
To be successful in this position, a candidate will need to possess the following desired competencies:

• Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
• Advocacy: Develops and presents the client’s, patients, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.
• Teamwork: Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations)

 
Special Note:

• For positions in this job class, a child protective history check will be performed per AS 12.62.160 and/or 13 AAC 68.315 including a background, criminal records check, and fingerprint check.
• This position requires a valid Driver's License.
• Additionally, while the Division does have vehicles assigned to it, they may not always be available for staff use. Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work-related matters. Current automotive insurance must be in place prior to use of a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the State.
• Relocation reimbursement costs may be provided by the State of Alaska.
• The successful candidate may be required to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage. 

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process. 
  
To view the general description and example of duties for a Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3, please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs