Child Protection Specialist Jobs
Child Protection Specialist jobs are open across government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and community services organizations, from entry-level case aide roles to senior specialist and program supervisor positions, with specializations in family preservation, foster care, and child welfare investigations. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Child Protection Specialist jobs
Initial Posting Date:
11/05/2026Application Deadline:
11/19/2026Agency:
Department of JusticeSalary Range:
$3,952 - $5,458Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Litigation Legal Assistant - Child Advocacy and Protection DivisionJob Description:
This work matters!
The Oregon Department of Justice, Child Advocacy and Protection Division (CAPD) in the Portland Legal office is seeking to hire a seasoned Litigation Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary). Legal Assistants who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are adaptable to change will excel as part of our team whose mission is to protect abused, neglected, and abandoned children. This position offers an opportunity to request a hybrid work schedule upon the successful completion of onboarding and training. Approval of a hybrid schedule, with up to three (3) remote days, is dependent on the agency’s business and operational needs, as well as those of the agency’s customers and work team.
If selected to join us, you will be a key member of a team tasked with supporting the work of Division Assistant Attorneys General who provide daily litigation support and legal services for the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare. Apply today and your contributions will make a difference in the lives of one of Oregon’s most valuable resources, our children.
What You Will Do (in part)
You’ll be entrusted to:
Prepare legal documents such as petitions, summons, subpoenas, and orders for Assistant Attorney General review.
Conduct research and connect with partner agencies to gather essential information for service of legal documents.
Effect service of legal documents to parties, community partners, witnesses, and business entities.
Maintain calendars of required court hearings, appearances, and document due dates.
Monitor and update case information as well as court and agency deadlines using an electronic case management system.
File legal documents using the court’s eFiling system.
Required Experience
Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.
Two years of clerical/secretarial experience which includes at least one year as a legal assistant or secretary for an attorney or judge or performance of legal support duties (such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records, or researching legal information). Experience must include proficiency in word processing software.
AND
Currently commissioned as a Notary Public in the State of Oregon OR able to become commissioned in Oregon within 6 months of appointment.
Desired Skills, Experiences, and Attributes
Ability to organize and prioritize work duties.
The ability to identity errors and problem solve.
Experience managing calendars for attorneys or court officials.
Experience addressing competing priorities while managing a large caseload.
Experience working in a litigation environment.
Knowledgeable in legal terminology and proceedings.
Ability to work with graphic and potentially upsetting material.
Experience maintaining confidentiality with sensitive case information.
What’s In It For You
Exposure to a variety of operational areas within the Child Advocacy and Protection Division (for those interested in future advancement opportunity).
Permanent, full-time employment.
Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.
Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Pension and retirement programs.
Endless peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Opportunity to expand your professional skills.
For more information about our benefits, you can learn here.
Application Process
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.
Click "Apply" and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.
Attach your resume.
Attach a cover letter identifying your attributes that meet desired and requested skills.
ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume and cover letter. Drag and drop both your resume and cover letter into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that one or both requested documents didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.
CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).
For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.
Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301
DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov
Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367
Initial Posting Date:
11/05/2026Application Deadline:
11/19/2026Agency:
Department of JusticeSalary Range:
$3,952 - $5,458Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Litigation Legal Assistant - Child Advocacy and Protection DivisionJob Description:
This work matters!
The Oregon Department of Justice, Child Advocacy and Protection Division (CAPD) in the Portland Legal office is seeking to hire a seasoned Litigation Legal Assistant (Legal Secretary). Legal Assistants who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are adaptable to change will excel as part of our team whose mission is to protect abused, neglected, and abandoned children. This position offers an opportunity to request a hybrid work schedule upon the successful completion of onboarding and training. Approval of a hybrid schedule, with up to three (3) remote days, is dependent on the agency’s business and operational needs, as well as those of the agency’s customers and work team.
If selected to join us, you will be a key member of a team tasked with supporting the work of Division Assistant Attorneys General who provide daily litigation support and legal services for the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare. Apply today and your contributions will make a difference in the lives of one of Oregon’s most valuable resources, our children.
What You Will Do (in part)
You’ll be entrusted to:
Prepare legal documents such as petitions, summons, subpoenas, and orders for Assistant Attorney General review.
Conduct research and connect with partner agencies to gather essential information for service of legal documents.
Effect service of legal documents to parties, community partners, witnesses, and business entities.
Maintain calendars of required court hearings, appearances, and document due dates.
Monitor and update case information as well as court and agency deadlines using an electronic case management system.
File legal documents using the court’s eFiling system.
Required Experience
Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that you demonstrate, using an intentional equity lens.
Two years of clerical/secretarial experience which includes at least one year as a legal assistant or secretary for an attorney or judge or performance of legal support duties (such as preparing legal documents, maintaining legal records, or researching legal information). Experience must include proficiency in word processing software.
AND
Currently commissioned as a Notary Public in the State of Oregon OR able to become commissioned in Oregon within 6 months of appointment.
Desired Skills, Experiences, and Attributes
Ability to organize and prioritize work duties.
The ability to identity errors and problem solve.
Experience managing calendars for attorneys or court officials.
Experience addressing competing priorities while managing a large caseload.
Experience working in a litigation environment.
Knowledgeable in legal terminology and proceedings.
Ability to work with graphic and potentially upsetting material.
Experience maintaining confidentiality with sensitive case information.
What’s In It For You
Exposure to a variety of operational areas within the Child Advocacy and Protection Division (for those interested in future advancement opportunity).
Permanent, full-time employment.
Vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and special days off.
Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Pension and retirement programs.
Endless peer and management support, and representation by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Opportunity to expand your professional skills.
For more information about our benefits, you can learn here.
Application Process
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Department of Justice is an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability, and is committed to workplace diversity.
Click "Apply" and complete the online application and all supplemental questions.
Attach your resume.
Attach a cover letter identifying your attributes that meet desired and requested skills.
ALL APPLICANTS: You will only have one opportunity to upload the required resume and cover letter. Drag and drop both your resume and cover letter into Workday when prompted to upload your resume. If you are concerned that one or both requested documents didn't attach to your application, if you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact doj.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov. Any materials emailed will be associated on your behalf if received before the posting deadline.
CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES: Login to Workday using your state-issued login and apply via the Jobs Hub Worklet located on your home page. Using a private account disrupts the hiring process for all internal candidates. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).
For additional information regarding working for the Department of Justice and application assistance, click HERE.
Oregon Department of Justice
1162 Court St NE
Salem, OR 97301
DOJ.recruitment@doj.oregon.gov
Phone: (503) 947-4328
Fax: (503) 373-0367
Child Protection Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
See All 18 Child Protection Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsChild Protection Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in child protection specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in social work, psychology, or a related human services field
- State child welfare certification or licensure such as LSW, LCSW, or equivalent credential
- Experience conducting safety and risk assessments with vulnerable children and families
- Knowledge of mandatory reporting laws, CAPTA requirements, and state child protective statutes
- Proficiency with case management software and electronic documentation systems
- Valid driver's license and ability to conduct home visits in a range of community settings
Tips for Your Child Protection Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to documentation standards
Child protection employers scan for language around case documentation, safety assessments, and court report writing. Mirror the exact terminology from each posting, since agencies often filter resumes for phrases like 'risk assessment' or 'family service plans' before a human reviews them.
Highlight your licensure and field hours
Many postings require an MSW, BSW, or a state-specific child welfare certification. List your license number, issuing state, and expiration date directly on your resume so hiring managers don't have to ask, and include supervised field hours if you're early in your career.
Target agencies by their funding model
County-run child protective services agencies, Title IV-E-funded nonprofits, and federally contracted organizations each have different hiring timelines and requirements. Knowing which type you're applying to helps you frame your experience around their specific reporting structures and outcome metrics.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists child protection specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers in child welfare roles almost always present a case scenario involving an at-risk child and ask how you'd proceed. Practice walking through your decision-making process out loud, referencing mandatory reporting obligations, the least-restrictive intervention principle, and documentation steps.
Negotiate start dates around background clearances
Child protection roles require FBI fingerprint checks, state central registry clearances, and sometimes drug screening before you can begin. When an offer arrives, ask about the expected clearance timeline so you can coordinate your start date without leaving your current employer prematurely.
Child Protection Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most child protection specialists?
The companies hiring the most child protection specialists right now include South Dakota State Government, State of Maine, and State of Montana, with the largest share of openings in South Dakota, Ohio, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. County and state child welfare agencies consistently account for the greatest volume of open roles.
How many child protection specialist jobs are remote?
About 67% of child protection specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, community-based nature of most child welfare work. Roles most likely to allow remote or hybrid schedules include policy analyst positions, training and professional development coordinators, and program oversight specialists who don't carry active caseloads.
How do you become a child protection specialist?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a closely related human services field, since most entry-level positions require at minimum a BSW. Complete supervised field practicum hours during your program. Apply for your state's child welfare worker certification or social work licensure after graduation. Many states also require completing a pre-service child welfare training academy before you're assigned an independent caseload.
How do you get hired as a child protection specialist with little experience?
Focus on positions titled case aide, child welfare technician, or family support specialist, which typically require a bachelor's degree but accept applicants without direct caseload experience. Volunteer or intern with a foster care agency, domestic violence shelter, or family resource center to build field hours. During interviews, emphasize coursework in child development, trauma-informed care, and your ability to manage emotionally intense situations calmly and professionally.
What does the child protection specialist interview process look like?
Most agencies use a structured panel interview with two to four interviewers, often including a supervisor and an HR representative. Expect behavioral questions about handling a family in crisis, mandatory reporting dilemmas, and managing a high caseload under deadlines. Many agencies also include a written scenario exercise where you document a mock intake or draft a brief safety plan, assessing your documentation skills alongside your verbal responses.
Where can I find and apply to child protection specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to child protection specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from agencies, nonprofits, and healthcare organizations across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, specialization, and preferred location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
See All 18 Child Protection Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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