Child Protection Specialist (Region 1 - Eastern) - ( 26142123 ) To be considered for this position you must complete the state application and attach all required documents through the Montana State Careers site at www.statecareers.mt.gov . If the required documents are not submitted, your application will not be reviewed. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has a career opportunity within the Child and Family Services Division . As a Child Protection Specialist, you will play a critical role in enhancing the well-being of Montana families. You will engage directly with families facing a wide range of challenges, investigating child abuse, providing support, advocacy, and connection to vital resources. This role is both rewarding and demanding. You will navigate complex, sometimes hostile, situations that require empathy, resiliency, and a deep understanding of social systems. While the path is not always easy, the difference you make is invaluable in Keeping Children Safe and Families Strong.

Essential Functions:

This is intended to describe the position but does not cover every function or task that may be required. Conducts timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment, in accordance with requirements of state and federal statutes and agency policy, using standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides. Carries a caseload and keeps all case file documentation current. Works collaboratively with law enforcement, other welfare professionals, and agencies. Prepares for and testifies in court, preliminary hearings, multi-disciplinary team meetings, family partnership meetings, and court hearings. Places child(ren) in out-of-home care, when necessary, and ensures that the placement is safe and complies with statutory and policy preferences and is in the best interests of the child(ren). Identifies available resources and connects families and children to these resources. Assures child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case. Prepares assessments, designs case plans, evaluates the progress of participants, and makes and monitors appropriate placements. This role requires frequent travel and conducting in home visits and interviews, and may include out-of-state travel, which will require the willingness to have appropriate travel documents. While you have a standard schedule, there will be times when critical business needs will require work during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Please note that as part of your job responsibilities, you will be assigned a rotating on-call schedule. Why Join DPHHS Our mission at DPHHS is serving Montanans in their communities to improve health, safety, well-being, and empower independence. By joining our department, you will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents. The State of Montana's comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, work/life balance, and eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. In addition, DPHHS is the largest state agency with a wide range of advancement opportunities whether you are joining the workforce or have several years of experience. Minimum Qualifications for this Career Opportunity

• Required bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related degree.
• Two years of social services work experience, or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations.

Preferred:

o Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples. o Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family centered social work practice. Candidates that will be successful in this role possess the following knowledge, skill, and abilities on the first day of work:

Stress Tolerance:

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

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.

Decision Making:

Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.

Advocacy:

Develops and presents the client's, youth's, and/or customer's interests in all matters.

Teamwork:

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, fosters commitment and works with others to achieve goals. Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations. Ability to engage children and families, under difficult circumstances, to gather sufficient information to make accurate and precise decisions. Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, even those who do not share the same point of view and may be violent or angry and maintain them over time. Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions of this position, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs. How to Apply To be considered for a DPHHS position, submit the following required documents with your application on the State of Montana Careers website. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application for this position.

Cover Letter:

Explain why you are passionate about this line of work and why you are interested in this particular position. Please specify which town you are interested in working in. Resume Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below. Additional Information This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy. This position supports the Child and Family Services Division Region 1 which includes the following cities: Glasgow, Glendive Hardin, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point. Work locations will vary depending on availability and community needs. This position will not be located in Billings; however Hardin is in close proximity (46 miles) to Billings and there is an established carpool from the Billings office to the Hardin Office.

Applicant Pool Statement :

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Training Assignment :

This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary:

$ 31.55 - 31.55

Hourly Telework Eligibility :

Telework Eligible (Full-time telework is not available. Telework schedule must be supervisor approved.)

Benefits Package Eligibility :

Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan Number of Openings :

3

Employee Status :

Regular Schedule :

Full-Time Job Type :

Standard Shift :

Day Job Travel :

Yes, 25 % of the

Time Primary Location :

Miles City Other Locations :

Hardin, Glendive, Havre, Wolf Point, Glasgow, Sidney Agency :

Department of Public Health & Human Services Union :

Montana Federation of Public Employees Posting Date :

Sep 1, 2026, 6:00:00 AM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Oct 26, 2026, 5:59:00

AM Required Application Materials :

Cover Letter, Resume, References Contact Name :

Human Resources |

Contact Email :

hhshumanresources@mt.gov |

Contact Phone :

406-444-3136 Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application. State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.