This position is located in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Working in Child Welfare for Oklahoma's largest state agency means having the opportunity to positively impact the safety and well-being of children and families for generations to come. If you have a passion for social work and making a difference in your local community, OKDHS has a place for you! Join our team and create pathways to hope for all Oklahomans. Extensive training will be provided to new employees.

DHS offers free child care for all employees. This benefit will be in effect until September 30, 2023. For more information contact daycare@okdhs.org or visit the program website at https://www.kith.care/.

Annual Salary

• Level I H23A - $40,077.79 + Full State Employee Benefits
• Level II H23B - $43,968.62 + Full State Employee Benefits

Applicants who possess a Master's Degree in Social Work will be entitled to a salary incentive of an additional 5%.

On-call positions will receive an additional bonus ranging from $100 to $150 every two weeks, depending on responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Child Welfare Specialist, Level I - To qualify, the applicant must have a bachelor's degree (in any field) to qualify.

Child Welfare Specialist, Level II - To qualify, the applicant must have a master's degree, OR a bachelor's degree, and one year of professional social work experience.

Employee Benefits

• Health Benefit Allowance to significantly cover the cost of health, dental, and vision plans on top of your regular salary,
• Overtime plans or comp paid time off for Child Welfare Workers
• State matched retirement contribution plans
• 11 paid holidays, 15 days of paid vacation leave, and 15 days of paid sick leave per year
• Employee Assistance Program offers 12 free counseling sessions annually and 24/7 access to a crisis-trained staff
• Mileage reimbursement
• Teleworking plans
• Technology such as a laptop and cell phone

Job Duties - Level I

• Complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program
• Learn adoptive services such as recruiting, screening, evaluating, and documenting activities, and providing reports to the adoption unit and the courts;
• Learn treatment and preventive services;
• Visit children in placement and conduct assessments of children and families;
• Refer families and children to services in the community;
• Participate in investigations of abuse and neglect of children, and prepare case reports and other documentation;
• Attends court hearings and provides testimony;
• Consults with the District Attorney and other attorneys, and tribal partners regarding efforts to protect the child, reunite the family or other permanent plans for the child;
• Provides direct services to children in placement,
• And other duties as assigned.
• Ability to work on a diverse team and directly with people from diverse backgrounds specifically racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and disabilities.

Job Duties - Level II

• Complete the Child Welfare Core Academy Training Program
• May perform duties of Level I Plus:
  • Recruitment staff actively seeks out prospective foster and adoptive families who have the ability to care for children.
  • Conduct community engagement to find foster and adoptive families.
  • Meet with prospective foster and adoptive families to establish communication.
  • Oversee the approval process for prospective foster families. Approve families according to established standards for the type of care provided.
  • Provide analysis and reporting on the number of new foster families.
• Other Duties as Assigned
• Ability to work on a diverse team and directly with people from diverse backgrounds specifically racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and disabilities.

Travel is EXTENSIVE - Must possess a valid driver's license and must maintain required car insurance. State vehicles will be available for use to carry out the duties of the position, or mileage reimbursement if personal vehicles are used.

Click here to see what it is like to work in Child Welfare.

If you have questions, please contact DHS.Careers@okdhs.org

OKDHS is a Fair Chance Employer.

This is a position in the Oklahoma Civil Service.

Announcement Number: 23-JD146

83005384/JR14858

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