Permanency Caseworker; Social Service Specialist

Overview

Position Title
Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist
1)

Initial Posting Date
01/30/2026

Final date to receive applications
02/08/2026

Agency
Department of Human Services

Salary Range
$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type
Employee

Job Description
The Oregon Department of Human Services is seeking compassionate individuals to join our team and help us create lasting, positive transformations in the lives of Oregon's most vulnerable children and families. This position will receive a 2.5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA), effective February 1, 2026, reflected in paychecks beginning March 1, 2026. The department is an Equal Opportunity Employer guided by our Equity North Star and a vision for a diverse and inclusive community.

We encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups and others to help achieve this vision.

We are seeking multiple Permanency Caseworkers (Social Service Specialist
1) to join our Child Welfare team in Albany. This is a permanency worker role focused on safeguarding children and strengthening families in Oregon.

Summary of Duties
As an employee within the Child Welfare Program, you will work to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oregon’s vulnerable children and families. You will help support the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation, which aims to help children and young adults be safer, healthier, experience less trauma, and achieve greater well-being. As a Permanency Caseworker, you will:

• Support Families:
  Play a critical role in helping families achieve their goals while ensuring child safety.
• Case Management:
  Work with diverse families, may include American Indian/Alaskan Native communities, collaborating with tribal entities and community partners.
• Engage Effectively:
  Interact with children, families, resource parents, and caregivers using a trauma-informed and antiracist approach to achieve safety and optimal outcomes.
• Develop Strategies:
  Create and implement strategies that leverage family strengths and address areas needing improvement.
• Handle Documentation and Legal Duties:
  Conduct home visits, complete legal documentation, attend court hearings, and address child safety issues.
• Balance Needs and Legal Requirements:
  Ensure a balance between the needs of the child and family while adhering to legal requirements.
• Build Rapport:
  Establish meaningful relationships with families to understand their dynamics and support their unique needs.

Minimum Qualifications
Per 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 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
• 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:

• Demonstrates a high level of comfort in collaborating with others to make decisions, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered, and the best possible outcomes are achieved for children and families.
• Experience in building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff, clients, and affected communities.
• Experience conducting professional communications, both verbally and in writing, including case plans, court reports, assessments, and other related documents.
• Experience working with diverse populations and implementing trauma-informed practices that address individual needs, prioritize safety, build trust, and ensure cultural sensitivity.
• Experience with case management systems, document management software, and electronic communication tools.
• Experience providing services and resources to children and families within social services settings.

Attention…