Child Protection Specialist (Region 4 - Southwest)

State of Montana - Butte, MT

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Butte, MT

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Child Protection Specialist provides family-centered services within a trauma-informed system to assure safety, permanency, and wellbeing for children who are at risk of or have been subjected to child maltreatment. Responsibilities include but are not limited to conducting 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. Documenting and communicating safety threats to all involved, including preparation of affidavits for District Court when necessary. Providing appropriate level of intervention to assure safety of all families in need of Child Protective Services (CPS); continuously reviews progress made by families to eliminate safety threats. Engaging families in the establishment of a permanency plan when needed and required, and assures plan follows order of placement preference as set forth in statute and policy. Assures child(ren) is evaluated and assessed to determine medical and psychological needs throughout the case.

Responsibilities

• Conduct timely assessments of reports of child maltreatment according to state and federal statutes and agency policy.
• Use standardized safety assessment tools and decision-making guides.
• Document and communicate safety threats to all involved parties.
• Prepare affidavits for District Court when necessary.
• Provide appropriate level of intervention to assure safety of families in need of CPS.
• Continuously review progress made by families to eliminate safety threats.
• Engage families in the establishment of a permanency plan when needed.
• Assure the child(ren) is evaluated and assessed for medical and psychological needs.

Requirements

• 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 situations.
• Ability to make critical decisions based on integration of information from multiple sources in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families to gather sufficient information for accurate decision-making.
• Ability to identify problems and develop and implement solutions.
• Ability to communicate information both orally and in writing clearly.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples.
• Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family-centered social work practice.

Benefits

• Healthcare coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Work/life balance
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
• Wide range of advancement opportunities.