Initial Posting Date:
06/11/2026
Application Deadline:
06/18/2026
Agency:
Department of Human Services
Salary Range:
$4,954 - $7,592
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1)
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 a Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) to join our team based in the Gresham office.
Training for this role will begin at the East Portland Branch on Glisan.
Permanency Workers will transition to their permanent location at the Gresham Branch later in the year.
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:
Provide support in identifying and securing appropriate placements for children. Some responsibilities may require working outside of standard business hours.
Participate in the mandatory on‑call rotation for child protective services.
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.
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 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 identifying client needs and connecting them to relevant and culturally responsive community services or eligibility for programs related to Human Services.
Experience preparing detailed narrative documentation and court reports for individual client cases, including case activities, client interactions, and other pertinent observations for judicial proceedings.
Experience working with and supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those that may be experiencing mental health challenges, trauma or substance use issues.
Knowledge and experience applying crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques to support individuals and families experiencing emotional distress, ensuring safety and stability while maintaining professionalism and empathy.
Demonstrated ability to deliver clear, professional communication by phone, in writing, and in face‑to‑face interactions with individuals of varying learning styles and needs.
Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines. Experience should include computer proficiency.
Working Conditions
Employee's work schedule will be Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm PT; hours may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional compensated overtime during evening and weekend work may be required.
In emergency situations, you will support caseworkers in finding placement for children. At times, this will require work outside of the traditional work schedule.
This position will be required to participate in an on-call rotation for mandatory on call for child protective services.
Your work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.
Frequent travel is required. 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' and Oregon National Guard preference:
General Information
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 Yvette Medford. Please include the REQ# when corresponding.
Email: yvette.c.medford@odhs.oregon.gov
Phone (call or text): 541-709-0306
Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference... for a lifetime!