Office Of Children's Services

Job titles at the Office of Children's Services

Children's Services Specialist I

This is the trainee level in the Children’s Services Specialist series. Employees participate in classroom and on-the-job training designed to develop the ability to independently perform the full spectrum of professional child welfare social casework. Assignments are designed to develop competence in child welfare and family assistance program areas, such as child abuse and neglect, licensing of foster homes, permanency planning and adoption. Work is carried out under close supervision. Initial casework assignments are simple or routine and become more complex as the employee develops knowledge and proficiency. This job is distinguished from Social Worker I (Children's Services) in that employees in positions titled “Social Worker” must be licensed social workers pursuant to AS 08.95. more information

Children's Services Specialist II

This is the full proficiency level of the Children’s Services Specialist series. Employees apply knowledge of professional child welfare principles and methods to provide the full range of child welfare and family services casework, including investigation, determination of course of treatment and services, assumption of custody of endangered or neglected children, and representation of the agency in court proceedings. Children’s Services Specialist II is distinguished from Children’s Services Specialist I in that the latter is a training level characterized by the performance of training assignments designed to prepare employees to provide professional child welfare services. Children’s Services Specialist II is distinguished from Social Services Specialist II in that the former is concerned solely with providing services to children in need of aid and their families through the Office of Children's Services. It is distinguished from Social Worker II (Children's Services) in that employees in positions titled “Social Worker” must be licensed as social workers pursuant to AS 08.95. more information

Children’s Services Specialist III

This is the lead level in the Children’s Services Specialist series. Employees perform full proficiency casework and act as lead workers responsible for assigning, directing and evaluating the work of paraprofessional and/or professional child welfare staff located in rural areas or in a unit of social services in a larger urban office. Children’s Services Specialist III may be distinguished from Social Worker III (Children's Services) in that the latter must be licensed as social workers pursuant to AS 08.95. Employees assign, direct and evaluate the work of lower level Social Service Associates, Social Workers (Children's Services) and Children’s Services Specialists. more information


Social Worker I (Children's Services)

Under immediate supervision, these employees learn and apply the concepts and techniques of professional social work in the area of children’s services (Children's Services) by attending training, assisting experienced caseworkers and carrying a small maintenance caseload. This is the trainee level in the licensed Social Worker (Children's Services) series. Employees participate in classroom and on-the-job training designed to develop the employee’s ability to independently perform the full spectrum of professional child welfare social casework. Assignments are designed to develop competence in child welfare and family assistance program areas, such as child abuse and neglect, licensing of foster homes, permanency planning and adoption. Work is carried out under close supervision. Initial casework assignments are simple or routine and become more complex as the employee develops knowledge and proficiency. more information


Social Worker II (Children's Services)

This is the full proficiency level of the licensed Social Worker (CS) series. Under direction, the employee performs the full range of professional child welfare and family services social work. Employees apply knowledge of professional social work principles and methods to provide the full range of child welfare and family services casework, including investigation, determination of course of treatment and services, assumption of custody of endangered or neglected children, and representation of the agency in court proceedings. Social Worker II (Children’s Services) is distinguished from Social Worker I (Children’s Services) in that the latter is a training level position, characterized by training assignments designed to prepare employees to perform professional child welfare social work. Social Worker II (Children’s Services) is distinguished from Social Worker II in that the former position is concerned solely with providing services to children in need of aid and their families through the Office of Children's Service's. It is distinguished from Children’s Services Specialist II in that Social Worker II (Children’s Services) employees must be licensed as social workers pursuant to AS 08.95. more information

Social Worker III (Children’s Services)

Under direction, a Social Worker III (Children's Services): 1) performs the full range of professional child welfare and family services social work and leads the work of employees providing professional child welfare services; OR 2) serves as a specialist in a particular facet of social work related to child welfare services.

Social Worker III (Children's Services) is the lead or specialist level in the licensed Social Worker (Children's Services) series. Employees perform 1) full proficiency casework and act as lead workers responsible for assigning, directing and evaluating the work of professional child welfare staff located in rural areas or in a unit of social services in a larger urban office; or 2) serve as a specialist and consultant to other Social Workers and Children's Services Specialists in a particular facet of child welfare services.

Option 1 is a lead worker with responsibility for the exercise of independent judgment in employing, training, and evaluating the work of other employees. As a lead worker, employees are responsible for the work of other Social Workers or Children's Services Specialists in a small office or a work unit of a large office. Employees perform the duties typical of a Social Worker II (CS) in addition to the lead responsibilities.

Option 2 may include lead or supervisory responsibility; however, supervision is not a class-controlling factor in this option. Employees provide professional training; evaluate systems, policies and procedures; and develop and effectively implement new methods of service delivery. Assignments ordinarily involve complex and sensitive issues that will affect the statewide delivery of children's welfare services. Employees must apply a broad knowledge of the principles and practices of children's social work and specialized training or experience with a particular facet of social work in order to develop and implement methods and procedures to achieve goals and objectives.

Social Worker III (Children's Services) may be distinguished from the Social Worker IV (Children's Services) in that the Social Worker III - CS is a lead worker or specialist rather than a fully supervisory class. The Social Worker (CS) series is distinguished from the Children's Services Specialist series in that Social Worker (Children's Services) series employees must be licensed as social workers pursuant to AS 08.95. more information

Social Worker IV (Children’s Services)/ Children’s Services Supervisor

Social Worker IV (Children’s Services)/ or Children’s Services Supervisor is the fourth level of the series. Under direction, this position serves as a full supervisor typically for paraprofessional and/or professional staff providing child welfare social work services in a rural office or a social work unit in a central or regional office.

This is a fully supervisory class with substantial responsibility for the exercise of independent judgment in appointing, promoting, transferring, suspending, discharging, and adjudicating the grievances of subordinate personnel.

This is the first supervisory level for the Social Worker (Children’s Services)/ or Children’s Services Specialist series.

Social Worker IV (Children’s Services)/Children’s Services Supervisor may be distinguished from both the Children’s Services Specialist III and the Social Worker III (Children’s Services) in that these latter job classes are lead rather than fully supervisory. It is distinguished from the Social Worker V (Children’s Services) or Staff Manager (Children’s Services) in that the latter is at the managerial level with overall administrative and management responsibility for a social work program.more information

Community Care Licensing Specialists I

Under direction, Community Care Licensing Specialists I perform licensure of child and adult residential facilities, foster homes, child day care facilities, and child placement agencies, to include on-site program assessment and investigation of complaints and allegations. Community Care Licensing Specialists provide state licensing and consultative services to child and adult residential care facilities, foster homes, child day care facilities, and child placement agencies.

Community Care Licensing Specialist I is the journey level of the series whereas the Community Care Licensing Specialist II serves as either the supervisor of a licensing unit or a staff assistant to a statewide licensing program manager. The Community Care Licensing Specialist series differs from other social services classes by having responsibility for the licensing and development of care facilities as outlined in Alaska Statute 47.35, which may be used by public, state, and private agencies. Other social services classes have responsibilities for individual placement and management that may utilize these facilities. The Community Care Licensing Specialist series is distinguished from the related Health Facilities Surveyor series by the Community Care Licensing Specialist’s program emphasis directed toward living situations and social interaction rather than certification of health care institutions according to Medicare and Medicaid regulations. more information

Community Care Licensing Specialists II

Under general direction, Community Care Licensing Specialists II serve as either:
1) The first supervisory level responsible for licensing functions in a large region. These positions have substantial responsibility for the exercise of independent judgment in appointing, promoting, transferring, suspending, discharging and adjudicating the grievances of subordinates. OR (2) A headquarters staff assistant engaged in research, analysis, planning and coordination duties in support of the state's community care licensing and program.

Positions allocated under Option 1 have substantial responsibility for the exercise of independent judgment in employing, disciplining, or adjudicating grievances of subordinates. Community Care Licensing Specialists provide state licensing and consultative services to child and adult residential care facilities, foster homes, child day care facilities and child placement agencies.

The Community Care Licensing Specialist series is distinguished from other social services job classes by the responsibility for the licensing and development of care facilities as outlined in Alaska Statute 47.35, which may be used by public, state, and private agencies. Other social services classes have responsibilities for individual placement and management that may utilize these facilities. The Community Care Licensing Specialist series is distinguished from the Health Facilities Surveyor series by the Community Care Licensing Specialist's program emphasis directed toward living situations and social interaction rather than certification of health care institutions according to Medicare and Medicaid regulations. more information