Protective Services Specialist 4 (PCN 063198)
State of Alaska
FreshPosted Mar 4
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Posted: March 4, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Protective Services Specialist 1/2 Wasilla (PCN 069149)
State of Alaska
Family & Community Services
Location
Alaska, 99811
Salary
$28.50 - $32.78
per hour
Type
Closes
March 17, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves protecting children by investigating reports of abuse or neglect, working with families to create safety plans, and providing support services to keep kids safe, either at home or through placements like foster care.
It's a hands-on role in a community setting, often requiring travel and collaboration with partners.
A good fit would be someone compassionate, organized, and experienced in social work or helping vulnerable people, with a strong commitment to family support and child welfare.
Key Requirements
- Experience in child protection, social services, or related fields (level 1 trainee or level 2 journey based on qualifications)
- Ability to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect
- Skills in developing family intervention plans and ensuring child safety
- Proficiency in case management, including court reports and referrals to services
- Strong communication for face-to-face and telephonic interactions with families and partners
- Willingness to work in the community, including fieldwork in Wasilla, Alaska
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the agency's mission of child safety and family strengthening
Full Job Description
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 Protective Services Specialist 1/2
in Wasilla, Alaska.
The position is open to Alaska Residents.
What You Will Be Doing:The individual in this position is responsible for Child Protection Services.
Depending on the needs of the agency, this position can either be in Family Services or Investigations & Assessment, or a Generalist covering both.
Starting as a level 1 (trainee) or 2 (journey) is dependent on experience and qualifications.
This position has a wide range of duties, including investigating reports of abuse and/or neglect, preparing plans for intervention by soliciting the cooperation of the family and others, gathering information about family dynamics/functioning, developing plans to ensure child safety while assisting parents in addressing their diminished protective factors, placing children out of the home with a relative or licensed foster home when necessary, providing ongoing and/or in-home services to families, writing and submitting reports to the Court, working closely with Tribal/Community Partners, frequent face-to-face and telephonic contact with parents and caregivers of children in custody and making referrals to other service providers and agencies.
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: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 teleworking within the duty station is an option upon eligibility.
Full-time benefits of this position include but are not limited to: Insurance Benefits; Retirement Benefits; Paid Leave; and twelve paid holidays per year. Please see the benefits tab on this posting for more information.
The Working Environment You Can Expect:
This position is in the Wasilla Field Office. This position will be in the Investigations & Assessment Unit, the Family Services Unit, or as Generalist Unit covering both depending on the need for each unit.
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.
Office of Children’s Services Staff are considered essential, so are expected to work during pandemic and other natural disasters.
The work we perform is critical and significantly impacts the communities we serve.
As a result, the Office of Children’s Services works on evenings and weekends as well as weekdays, so overtime and on-call work are expectations of our workers.
This position may require travel at times by plane/boat/four-wheeler etc. and may include overnight stays.
Frequency of travel will normally be one or two trips per month, for up to a week at a time, depending on casework need.
This is to provide support and coverage to the rural areas as needed, with per-diem and accommodation paid by the State.
For information on the Wasilla community (including schools, hospitals, housing) please review the Alaska Community Profiles.
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).
- 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, patient’s, and/or customer’s interests in all matters.
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!
Requirements
Competency Based Minimum Qualifications InstructionsThis 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 DescriptionThe 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.
Qualifications
At the time of interview submit:
Copy of academic transcripts with your application if you will be using education to meet the minimum qualifications and/or competencies desired for the position.
(Unofficial are acceptable but must include the institution name/URL on the transcripts). Please provide them at the time of the interview if they are not included in your application.
Please read the information below carefully. This applies to your application submission.
Special Note
This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies.
If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work performance.
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.
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.
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.
COVER LETTER:
A cover letter is not required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions that will be used as a writing sample, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.COVER LETTER:
FLEXIBLE STAFFING:This position is flexibly staffed. The level of the job offer will be based on the selected candidate’s credibly possessed and proven competencies.
If hired at the lower level, you will be promoted to the higher level after completing the training plan and demonstrating competency in the work.
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 not provided, transcripts will be required prior to appointment.
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 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.
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.
The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.
RECRUITMENT SCOPE
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 not provided, transcripts will be required prior to appointment.
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 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.
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.
The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.
RECRUITMENT SCOPE
This position is open to Alaska Residents only. Please check our residency definition to determine if you qualify.MULTIPLE VACANCIESThis 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 NOTICEYou 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 AlaskaJobs 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/NOTICEQuestions 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 STATEMENTThe 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.
Additional Information
WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCEQuestions 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
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes