About Job

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!

Minimum Qualifications

Competency Based Minimum Qualifications Instructions
This job class uses competency based minimum qualifications. Please ensure your application (through work history, volunteer experience (duties summary), training, education, licenses, certifications, etc.) supports how you have gained the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors (competencies) and that you possess the minimum required competencies for the job class.

Competency Description
The competency description(s) listed below have been designed to promote a common understanding of the essential elements of the job class. They highlight the more general and customary knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), tasks, and behaviors used to describe the competency. They typically list expectations, as opposed to specific tasks, and are to be used only as parameters and guidelines. A competency’s description is not intended to exclusively define every KSA, task, and behavior needed to successfully meet the competency, but rather to provide the manager/agency with a broad reference of options as to how an applicant can meet the job expectation.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in:

Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
Customer Service: Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
Integrity/Honesty: Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Oral Communication: Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

equivalent to those typically gained by

Training in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles.

“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

equivalent to those typically gained by

Training in a social science, behavioral science, health science, guidance and counseling, or a closely related field and/or progressively responsible professional experience providing assistance, information or referrals to the general public related to social services, health care, or legal services; in child, adult, family, or group case management, licensing, or probation services; or providing care or services to delinquent juveniles.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

“Professional experience” means work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

Special Note:
Some positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and/or a background investigation including fingerprinting. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.

Additional Required Information

At the time of the interview, please provide the following:

Include your two most recent performance evaluations.
Submit transcripts if using education to meet minimum requirements.

Supplemental Questions

For your application to be evaluated you must answer the Supplemental Questions.

The State of Alaska (SOA) uses four levels of proficiency to measure and describe an applicant's level of competence in applying certain behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities to accomplish a specific task. The proficiency levels are Mastery, Fluency, Literacy, and Discovery. You will need to rate your proficiency for each competency listed in the supplemental questions.

You must also complete the “References” section in the application. In the reference section please provide contact details for a minimum of three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies, in which one (1) of the three (3) references must be a current or former direct supervisor.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

FLEXIBLY STAFFED This position is flexibly staffed. This vacancy may be filled at either the 1 or 2 level, depending on the applicant's training and/or experience. The full range of salaries is listed above. Starting salary will be determined by the level of the position. If filled at Level 1, promotion to the Level 2 will only occur upon successful completion of the probationary period and required training, as well as the applicant meeting the minimum qualifications of the higher job class and final approval by supervisor. It is recommended and encouraged that you apply for any/all levels that you are qualified for.

LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
The State’s online recruitment system, Workplace Alaska, requires applicants to certify that they have a legal right to accept employment in the United States. It is the responsibility of the employee to maintain the appropriate documentation to accept or continue legal employment. The State of Alaska does not function in the role as an employer sponsor.

EDUCATION

To verify education being used to meet the required minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials being used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial are okay, please ensure that the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application, provided at the time of interview, or if/when requested prior to scheduling an interview.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Omission of required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application and you will not receive further consideration.

WORK EXPERIENCE

When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer’s name, your job title, dates of employment, and whether full-or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported, and minimum qualifications are clearly met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position in which you are applying.

If you are currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as there are minimum qualifications that require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application in its entirety. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

RECRUITMENT SCOPE This position is open to Alaska Residents. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES

This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as ALEXsys or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to successfully apply. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/

NOTICE

Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095.If you choose to be contacted by email,please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

EEO STATEMENT

The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at: P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword

For specific information in reference to the position please contact the hiring manager:

Laureen Larsen

Talent Acquisitions Specialist

(907) 334-2457

laureen.larsen@alaska.gov

Careers with the State of Alaska offer MANY benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
- The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
  - AVTEC
  - Confidential
  - Correctional Officers
  - Marine Engineers
  - Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
  - Supervisory
  - Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
  - Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
- The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
  - General Government
  - Labor, Trades and Crafts
  - Public Safety Employees Association
  - Masters, Mates & Pilots
Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

Optional Insurance Benefits

Group-based insurance premiums for
- Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
- Long-term and short-term disability
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
- Supplemental Survivor Benefits
Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

See https://drb.alaska.gov/retiree/ for additional information

Paid Leave & Other Benefits