Effective July 1, 2025 the wage for this position increased by 3 %. The wage listed in this job posting reflects the increase.

Come join the State of Alaska!

This job class uses Competency Based minimum qualifications (MQs). Please read the Competency Based MQ instructions below to learn more.

The Department of Family and Community Services,

Office of Children's Services (OCS) is

recruiting for full-time Permanency Specialist

in Anchorage or Homer Alaska

The position is open to Alaska Residents

What You Will Be Doing

Under the direction of the Regional Permanency Specialist, these specialty positions focus on aspects of casework specific to achieving permanency for children in OCS custody. Duties may include completing diligent relative searches; requesting and reviewing child-specific records; assisting with the full disclosure process; assisting with the home study referral process; gathering necessary documents for adoption and guardianship packets; regular communication with legal parties, adoption/guardianship attorneys, and Tribes; writing home study updates; and some primary casework responsibilities.

For more information: OCS Practice Model

Mission and Values/Culture: The Mission of the Office of Children's Services is: Ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being of children by strengthening families, engaging communities, and partnering with Tribes.

The Office of Children's Services is dedicated to a diverse and inclusive workforce where safety and wellbeing are paramount. Employees all contribute to building a culture where everyone is valued, treated equitably, and treated respectfully.

Everything we do is underpinned by our Core Values.

Benefits Of Joining Our Team

This is an exciting time to join the Permanency Team! Efforts are underway to develop and improve our processes for achieving appropriate timely permanency outcomes for children in OCS custody. This is an opportunity to support an important part of the agency’s mission while also developing further expertise in all aspects of permanency.

The Office of Children's Services is committed to an organizational culture that values each team member. We are committed to building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. We celebrate and value the diversity of our employees, partners, and families we serve.

Your first twelve months in the agency are probationary and considered a training period, with formal virtual training, on-the-job training with your supervisor, and with other colleagues.

While this is a field-based position that involves working in the community, part-time telework within the duty station is an option upon eligibility.

The Working Environment You Can Expect

This position will be located in either the Homer or Anchorage OCS office. Homer is located at the end of the Kenai Peninsula in southcentral, Alaska, and the beautiful Kachemak Bay. The Anchorage Regional Office is located in midtown Anchorage off Tudor Road and C Street and is within walking distance to several amenities. Both locations will offer a fast-paced work environment. Our teams are based around having a strong work ethic and high ethical standards, believing in treating all people with dignity and respect, as well as being self-motivated, organized, and honest. We are all about getting the job done while still contributing to a positive, upbeat work environment.

For more information on the either community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.

The Office of Children's Services requires staff to work after hours and on-call. Overtime is also an expectation when deemed necessary. OCS Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters.

Who We Are Looking For

We are interested in candidates who possess some or all of the following position specific competencies:

• Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations, dangerous situations). (Level 1)
• Self-Management: Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. (Level 1)
• Decision Making: Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change. (Level 2)
• Advocacy (*): Develops and presents the client’s, patient’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters. (Level 2)
  
  

Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer work, training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports/demonstrates how you possess the minimum required competencies for this position and be sure to thoroughly document it in your application.

Special Note

• All positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprinting and a criminal records check.
• Additionally, while the Division does have vehicles assigned to it, they may not always be available for staff use. Mileage reimbursement is available when a personal vehicle is used for work-related matters. Current automotive insurance must be in place prior to use of a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the State.
• Relocation reimbursement costs may be provided by the State of Alaska.
• For positions in this job class, a child protective history check will be performed per AS 12.62.160 and/or 13 AAC 68.315 including a background and fingerprint check.
• The successful candidate may be required to attend multiple training courses normally located in Anchorage.
  
  

To view the general description and example of duties for the position please go to the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alaska/classspecs?keywords=protective%20services%20specialist

If you can imagine yourself in this role, we encourage you to apply!