Resource Home Certifier (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date:

07/15/2025

Application Deadline:

07/29/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Resource Home Certifier (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!

Do you enjoy meeting interesting people and getting to know their stories? Imagine recruiting, identifying, assessing and supporting resource families (resource, adoptive, and relative families). If you're looking to make a difference in your community and this sounds interesting, this Resource Home Certifier position may be for you!

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 Resource Home Certifier, you will:

• Certification: Gather and analyze information and confirm safe environments through interviews, observations, and other source materials of the resource parents and relative caregivers.

• Re-assess certified families on an ongoing basis and assure recertification compliance requirements are met at a minimum of every two years.

• Placement Matching: Facilitate the establishment and involvement of certified families in mentorship and support groups that teach and encourage responsible substitute care giving.

• Implement and monitor placement support plans for any certified family who needs assistance in maintaining conditions that provide safety and well-being to children or young adults in the home.

• Recruitment: Identify and seek out relative caregivers, resource parents, and adoptive parents that represent all ethnic and cultural groups within the community.

• Retention: Support and facilitate communication between certified families and case workers to ensure services and resources are available to children and young adults.

• Training: Develop a training plan with the certified family in order for the family to meet their training rule requirements and care giving needs.

Minimum Qualifications

A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record are required for this position.

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 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 in evaluating child safety, emphasizing the importance of keeping families together and prioritizing placements with relatives.

• Experience conducting work that requires attention to detail, particularly when creating or reviewing documents.

• Experience presenting complex information to clients, co-workers, and external partners in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.

• Experience engaging with families under challenging and time sensitive circumstances using trauma-informed practices.

• Demonstrated experience writing clearly, thoroughly, and concisely with minimal spelling and grammar issues.

Attention all candidates!

• 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. If selected as the top candidate for this position, and education is a requirement in the minimum qualifications, please be prepared to provide verification of your college/university degree with month/year of completion for further consideration. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• 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.

Working Conditions

• Work will be conducted in offices, participant's homes, and other community sites.

• Occasional travel is required for attending meetings, trainings, and other case related activities.

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.

• Employee will work a professional work week; hours of work may fluctuate based on service needs. Occasional, compensated overtime may be required, including evening and weekend work.

• In this role, you will encounter sensitive material related to trauma, abuse, substance use, and crisis situations. Our team prioritizes a trauma-informed approach, creating a safe environment for both clients and staff.

• You will interact with a diverse range of individuals, including those who have experienced trauma and may struggle with emotional regulation. This position may involve handling stressful situations that demand rapid decision-making skills.

Background Checks and Requirements

• 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.

• 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.

• Finalists must be cleared by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) through a fingerprint-based criminal records check.

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' preference:

• Veterans' preference information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans' preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

General Information

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

• 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 Rochelle Peters. Choose an item. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number.

• Email: Rochelle.m.peters@odhs.oregon.gov Choose an item.

• Phone (call or text): 971-240-8726.