Social Service Specialist 1 - Foster Care Certifier

Salem, Oregon - Equitable Center (bilingual English/Spanish required)

Are you passionate about supporting youth and families through meaningful relationship building and community engagement? The Oregon Youth Authority is seeking a dedicated Social Service Specialist 1 – Foster Care Certifier to join our team. In this vital role, you will be responsible for the certification and recertification of all foster and proctor homes, ensuring compliance with agency and state standards. You will provide training, coaching, and mentoring to foster and proctor parents to help them create safe, stable, and supportive environments for youth in care. This position also involves frequent contact with foster and proctor homes, as well as proctor residential staff, to provide guidance, monitor compliance, and support ongoing program quality.

If you are committed to making a difference in the lives of youth and families, and thrive in a role that combines relationship-building, education, and regulatory oversight, we encourage you to apply.

For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, please click here.

**Would you like to learn more about this position and OYA? Join us on Wednesday, October 29 between 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for OYA Career Chats.

Click Here to Register for OYA Career Chats!

To Qualify for This Position:

A bachelor’s degree in Human Services or a field related to human services; OR

A bachelor’s degree unrelated to Human Services AND either

1) One year of Human Services related experience; OR

2) Completion of coursework equivalent to certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency; OR

An associate degree and either:

1) Two years of Human Services related experience; OR

2) One year of Human Services related experience and related training, coursework, or certification consistent with Oregon Caseworker Competency.

Special Qualifications:

• Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).

• This position is bilingual English/Spanish. This position requires the ability to speak Spanish and English fluently. Indicate your Spanish speaking skills in the skills section of your application or resume.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES/APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA: If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!

Note: You do not need to have all of these qualities to be eligible for this position.

• Ability to provide oral and written translation services from Spanish to English and English to Spanish for program needs  

• Knowledge of theories, methods and techniques used in correctional or social case work

• Familiarity with methods and techniques for building diverse community partnerships and provider networks to better support the cultural needs of youth

• Experienced in applying principles and techniques of individual and group training, as well as measuring training outcomes.

• Proficiency with automated data systems and related software, including spreadsheets, word processing, and information tracking databases

• Knowledge of techniques and methods used to interview individuals in order to gather relevant information

How to Apply:

• COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED: In your cover letter, please describe your experiences, skills, and knowledge as they relate to the desired attributes of the position and explain why you are the best fit for this role. Limit your cover letter to no more than 2 pages and ensure it is in PDF format for accessibility.

• Ensure your application and/or resume thoroughly reflect your skills, experience (both lived, volunteer, and professional), knowledge, and/or education pertinent to this position, including any/all desired attributes. Please ensure your resume shows month/year and description of job duties for each position.

• Complete the questionnaire.

• Following the submission of your application, promptly respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. If you're an employee, these tasks will be in your Workday inbox.

• Veterans may receive preference; indicate your veteran status if applicable.  Click here for more information about veterans’ preference.

Caution: If you fail to follow these instructions, including failing to attach a cover letter as described above, we will have to disqualify your application. We cannot consider incomplete or late applications.

Additional Information:

• Hybrid Telework: This position is required to work at the Salem Central Office 1 or more days a week depending on business needs.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill current and future vacancies.

• Comprehensive and equitable base salary offer within the listed range based on your experience, skills and education. For more information on pay equity, click here.

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

• This position receives annual increases on the anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.

ABOUT OYA

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences and the opportunity to contribute in the success of youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you!

People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!

For more information please visit www.oregon.gov/oya.

What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work/life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.

Discover more about working in Oregon state government by clicking here.

This position is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU/OPEU). By joining and maintaining your membership with SEIU Local 503, the following benefits are available to you such as:

• $2,500 life insurance policy paid for by your union, SEIU Local 503. This policy is in effect if you are an active member.

• Up to $200,000 of additional life insurance can be purchased. Up to $100,000 member life, $40,000 spouse and $10,000 child is guaranteed within the first 90 days of new union membership.

• Short Term Disability insurance is guaranteed if purchased within the first 90 days of new union membership.

• Legal insurance enrollment is available to purchase within the first 90 days of new union membership.

• Tuition reimbursement.

Additional Information:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical​​​ condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ​expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.” The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Pre-employment Checks:

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.

In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities.  In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards. 

All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.

Visa Sponsorship:

We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Have Questions?:          

For questions about the job announcement, email the OYA recruitment team at OYAjobs@oya.oregon.gov.