Permanency Worker

Initial Posting Date:

10/01/2025

Application Deadline:

10/15/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,833.00 - $7,407.00

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Permanency Worker (Social Service Specialist 1) - multiple positions.

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 Permanency Caseworkers (Social Service Specialists 1) to join our Child Welfare team based in our Roseburg office.

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 Permanency Caseworker, you will:

• Support families by playing a critical role in helping families achieve their goals while ensuring child safety. 

• Provide case management by working with diverse families, including American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, collaborating with tribal entities and community partners. 

• Engage effectively by interacting with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers using a trauma-informed and antiracist approach to achieve safety and optimal outcomes. 

• Developing strategies by creating and implementing strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas needing improvement. 

• Handling documentation and legal duties by conducting home visits, completing legal documentation, attending court hearings, and addressing child safety issues.  Testifying in court when attending court hearings.

• Balancing needs and legal requirements by ensuring a balance between the needs of the child and family while adhering to legal requirements. 

• Building rapport by establishing meaningful relationships with families to understand their dynamics and supporting their unique needs. 

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 bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR

A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either

1) One year of Human Services related experience; OR

2) Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency; OR

An associate degree and either:

1) Two years of Human Services related experience; OR

2) One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Degree must be completed, not in progress. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience engaging and building partnerships with clients (parents & children), community organizations, agency staff, and affected communities.

• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, ability to adjusting to changing situations and managing time by being self-motivated to meet required deadlines.

• Experience working well with people from a wide variety of backgrounds through a culturally competent lens

• Experience calming tense situations and resolving conflicts in various interactions by using conflict resolution or behavior management techniques.

• Experience using verbal and written communication, ensuring information is clear, such as case plans, court reports, narratives and observations ensuring information is clear, direct and unbiased

• Demonstrated knowledge about trauma-informed care. Experience having sensitive conversations with care, keeping family’s needs in mind.

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 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

• This position requires working a flexible schedule as a condition of employment with a normal day of 8 hours from 8am to 5pm.  However, working hours may be adjusted within a given week to provide planned services.

• Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.

• Work is done in office and field, including client homes.  Families served include mandated clients who may be hostile and resistant.

• Some travel is required.  Valid driver’s license is required.

• Requires ability to use computer technology, including a working knowledge of Outlook, Microsoft Word, and OR-Kids.

• 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.

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.

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 primarily in-person position with the ability to respond to the office within 30 minutes if necessary.

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  

• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 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]