Icwa Permanency Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1)

Initial Posting Date:

10/02/2025

Application Deadline:

10/09/2025

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

ICWA 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!

Are you dedicated to working with American Indian and Alaskan Native children and their families, ensuring they receive the culturally appropriate care and support they deserve? Do you thrive on collaboration, and enjoy developing and improving relationships with diverse groups of people? Ready to make a difference? Join us and help shape a brighter future for all!

We are currently seeking an Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Caseworker (Social Service Specialist 1) to join our team based in the Portland office located on NE Glisan Street.

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 an ICWA Caseworker, you will:

• Act as an ICWA liaison, working with Tribal entities, community partners, and culturally relevant service providers to support children and families.

• Deliver culturally responsive case management, collaborating with tribal entities and serving diverse families, including American Indian/Alaskan Native communities.

• Maintain ongoing engagement with clients, building meaningful relationships to understand their dynamics and support their unique needs.

• Interact effectively with children, families, caregivers, and community partners using a trauma-informed, antiracist approach to promote safety and achieve optimal outcomes.

• Complete comprehensive assessments, including child and family assessments, risk and safety evaluations, Protective Capacity Assessments, and Conditions for Return, to guide case planning and reunification efforts.

• Develop and implement family case plans and strategies that leverage family strengths while addressing areas of concern.

• Provide intensive, time-limited casework services to children in both substitute care and their own homes, supporting families in achieving their goals while prioritizing child safety.

• Conduct regular reviews and evaluations to monitor client progress and adjust plans as needed.

• Manage documentation and legal responsibilities, including home visits, legal documentation, court hearings, and compliance with child welfare laws.

• Balance the needs of the child and family while ensuring adherence to all legal and safety requirements.

• 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. Degree must be completed, not in progress. There are no exceptions or grace periods for finishing a degree.

Interested in learning more? Here are some testimonials from current ODHS Workers.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Degree must be completed, not in progress. Experience alone will not meet the minimum qualifications for those positions.

Essential Attributes

We are looking for candidates with:

• Experience evaluating client needs to identify appropriate community resources, culturally responsive services, agency programs, and Tribal partnerships.

• Experience preparing and maintaining thorough records, such as reports, narratives, and observations.

• Demonstrated understanding of working with diverse populations

• Demonstrated proficient verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write in plain language and communicate clearly.

• Experience organizing tasks, prioritizing responsibilities, and managing time to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated success collaborating in team environments, with a strong commitment to supporting clients, customers, and colleagues through a teamwork-focused approach.

• Demonstrated computer proficiency.

Working Conditions

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

• Employee's work schedule will be Monday- Friday from 8 am- 5 pm 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.

• 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' 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).

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS monthly salary range. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 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!