Social Service Specialist - Child Protective Services; CPS and Permanency. Position

Position Title
Social Service Specialist 1 - Child Protective Services (CPS) and Permanency. Multiple Positions. Eugene and Springfield

Initial Posting Date
01/20/2026

Final date to receive applications
01/27/2026

Agency
Department of Human Services

Salary Range
$4,833 - $7,923

Position Type
Employee

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! Picture yourself as the advocate for children! Your mission is to protect their futures while addressing the needs of families and adhering to legal obligations. With each home visit and report you complete; you’re making a significant impact on the lives of children in Oregon. Our Office of Child Welfare is seeking to fill multiple Social Service Specialist 1 positions in Eugene/Springfield - Lane County!

In this role, you will work directly with families with whom you will be able to share and celebrate successes. Come join us in doing this important work!

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.

Social Service Specialist 1 - CPS Worker or Permanency Worker – you will:

• Responds to assigned referrals of alleged child abuse/neglect in which children are alleged to be unsafe. Assessment activities as outlined in the procedure manual include: conduct child interviews; conduct parent interviews; gather collateral interviews including review of pertinent documents; make and document observations of the home environment; make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take children into protection when appropriate;
  
  identify and develop services plan for individual client needs.
• Make determination whether abuse or neglect has occurred and take protection when appropriate.
• Arrange medical evaluation for the children involved in the assessment, in order to document and have record of relevant medical findings related to the CPS assessment.
• Locate community programs/support groups and parenting classes.
• Arrange substitute care placement of children who are taken into care.
• Attend court hearings (Permanency hearings, criminal charges and Juvenile court) related to CPS assessments.
• Attend MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) meetings related to CPS assessments.
• Completing referral information for assessment evaluations (Forensic, Mental and Behavioral).
• Completing necessary court related information including petition work sheets, court reports, affidavits, etc.

As a Social Service Specialist 1 - CPS Worker or Permanency Worker – you will:

• Monitors the safety and well-being of the child by maintaining ongoing contact with the child per department policy and procedures. Facilitates child adjustment, assesses developmental progress and treatment needs, explains plan changes and prepares child for transitions including return home and adoption.
• Facilitates visitation of children in care with parents and other significant family members. Directly observes visits or other parent-child contacts to assess relationship and provide feedback and counseling where appropriate. Make appropriate arrangements for transportation for the visits.
• Provides case management services through referrals and regular contact with service providers for parents of children to coordinate services and assess progress.
• Develops a case plan for all legal parents utilizing evaluation information (psychological, treatment reports, etc.). Involves clients, and supportive extended family members and others…