Child Protection Specialist (Region 5 - Western)

Minimum Qualifications

for this Career Opportunity · Required bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, or related degree. · Two years of social services work experience, or directly related work experience, working with children and families in difficult and sometimes volatile situations. · Preferred: o Experience working with tribal government entities and/or other organizations of native peoples. o Knowledge of child development, child maltreatment prevention and treatment, and family centered social work practice. Candidates that will be successful in this role possess the following knowledge, skill, and abilities on the first day of work: Stress Tolerance: Deals calmly and effectively with high stress situations (for example, tight deadlines, hostile individuals, emergency situations). 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. 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.

Advocacy

Develops and presents the client’s, youth’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.

Teamwork

Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, fosters commitment and works with others to achieve goals. Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations. Ability to engage children and families, under difficult circumstances, to gather sufficient information to make accurate and precise decisions. Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, even those who do not share the same point of view and may be violent or angry and maintain them over time. Ability to operate a personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete the essential functions of this position, including using spreadsheet, word processing, database, email, internet and other computer programs.

How To Apply

To be considered for a DPHHS position, submit the following required documents with your application on the State of Montana Careers website. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly to your application for this position. Cover Letter - Please explain why you are passionate about this line of work and why you are interested in this particular position. Resume Successful applicants will be subject to background checks relevant to the position and must pass reference checks before an offer will be extended. DPHHS is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a copy of the full job description or if you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, contact DPHHS Human Resources listed below.

Additional Information

This position may be eligible for partial telework within the state of Montana. Specific conditions will be provided by the supervisor and must adhere to state policy. This position supports the Child and Family Services Division Region 5 which includes the following cities: Missoula, Hamilton, Polson, and Superior. Work locations will vary depending on availability and community needs. If the position operates within an Indian Reservation. Per MCA 2-18-111, applicants claiming preference in hiring for employment due to being an Indian resident of the reservation must submit the preference in writing while the position is vacant. This position is open until filled with frequent screening of applicants. This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase July 1, 2026.