Protective Services Specialist 1/2/3 Bethel (PCN 063729M)

JOB Come join the State of Alaska!

This job class uses Competency Based minimum qualifications (MQs). Please read the Competency Based MQ instructions below to learn more.

The Department of Family and Community Services,Office of Children's Services (OCS) is recruiting for full-time Protective Service Specialist 1/2/3in the Bethel office in AlaskaThe position is open to

All ApplicantsWhat You Will Be Doing:

As a Protective Service Specialist (PSS), you will be responsible for Child Protection Services in the Family Services unit, the Investigations & Assessment unit, or as Generalist covering both. Travel duties are expected to be approximately four (4) times per month (mainly day trips and some overnights), which includes travel to communities and rural locations in Alaska.

This case carrying position offers 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 be placing children with a relative or licensed foster home when applicable, provide ongoing and/or in-home services to families, writing and submitting reports to Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody, and making referrals to other service providers and agencies.

For more information:

OCS Practice ModelMission and Values/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.

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, on-the-job training with your supervisor, and with other colleagues.

While this is a field-based position that involves working in the community, part-time telework within the duty station is an option upon eligibility.

The Working Environment You Can Expect:

These positions are located in the Bethel Field Office. As a Protective Services Specialist (PSS), you will be responsible for Child Protection Services. Depending on the needs of the agency, this position can either be in Family Services Unit or Investigations & Assessment Unit, or a Generalist covering both. Starting as a level 1 (trainee), 2 (journey) or 3 (advanced) is dependent on experience and qualifications. This is a case-carrying position and has a wide range of duties, including investigating reports of abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, gathering information about family dynamics/functioning, developing plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors, placing children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary, providing ongoing and/or in-home services to families, writing and submitting reports to the Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody and making referrals to other service providers and agencies. The Office of Children's Services requires staff to work after hours and on-call. Overtime is also an expectation when deemed necessary. This is a Bethel based position and will require relocation to Bethel. Move reimbursements are available if selected candidate relocates to Bethel and notifies management in advance, if interested. The travel will include charter flights, and state owned and operated boat to surrounding villages, supported by Western region. Weekly travel as required. Same day travel, overnight travel as required. For information on the Bethel community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

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.

Stress Tolerance:

Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations).

Teamwork:

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.

Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer work, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates how you possess the minimum required competencies for this position and be sure to thoroughly document it in your application.

Special NoteThis position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate's credibly possessed and proven competencies. If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work performance.

All positions require a valid Real ID Alaska driver's license and successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check.

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, if requested in advance.

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 and fingerprint check.

The successful candidate may be required to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage.

To view the general description and example of duties for the position please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/classspecs?keywords=protective%20services%20specialistIf you can imagine yourself in this role, we encourage you to apply!

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications InstructionsThis job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency's description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving:

Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one's knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.

Customer Service:

Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

Integrity/Honesty:

Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.

Interpersonal Skills:

Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.

Oral Communication:

Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Writing:

Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

Technical Credibility:

Understands and appropriately applies principles, procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.equivalent to those typically gained byTraining in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles."Typically gained by" means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job."Training" and "education" in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.equivalent to those typically gained byTraining in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or progressively responsible professional experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles."Progressively responsible" means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility."Professional experience" means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

Special Note:

Some positions require a valid Real ID Alaska driver's license and/or a background investigation including fingerprinting. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS

& ASSISTANCEQuestions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager: Laureen LarsenTalent Acquisition Specialistlaureen.larsen@alaska.gov