Montana Department of Justice - Residential Investigator/Child & Family Ombudsman

MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR NEXT CAREER! 

The Residential Investigator/Child and Family Ombudsman includes work in two programs in the Special Services Bureau in the Division of Criminal Investigation:

• Residential Investigator for the Intensive Behavioral Center (IBC) – 25%. The Intensive Behavior Center is an intensive, short-term treatment facility in Boulder, MT for individuals who have intellectual disabilities. IBC is a 12-bed facility. The Residential Investigator is responsible for conducting investigation of allegations of abuse and/or neglect of clients at IBC. Allegations are reported to DOJ from IBC and include both client to client allegations and staff to client allegations. Prepare investigative reports and supporting documents, provide interpretations of applicable regulations, and compile summaries and case analyses to document the investigation within five (5) days of the alleged incident. Prepare an accurate and complete investigation report to include findings. Write reports with attention to format, grammar, and clarity. Organize and correlate data, findings and results and ensure report is complete and accurate.
• Child and Family Ombudsman – 75%. The Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman responds to citizen requests to protect the rights of children and families and strengthen Montana’s child welfare system. The Ombudsman is responsible for evaluating state agency operations, policies, and practices to identify opportunities to better protect the interests and rights of Montana’s citizens and to identify persistent, continuing or systemic concerns and issues that may merit attention, prevention, and resolution; investigating and addressing complaints and resolving them through recommendations, facilitation, administrative or legal action; and administering a statewide public education and information program about services available through the Office and to pursue and promote the legal, civil, and special protections. The Office also receives, manages, and analyzes several types of data from the Child and Family Services Division and generates three reports each year.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Social Services, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or closely related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in child protective services and/or a related field in child welfare.
• Experience working with people who have developmental and intellectual disabilities. Knowledge of assessing abuse and neglect of adults as per state definitions, requirements, and policy.
• Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Social Services, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or closely related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Requires advanced knowledge of the principles and practices of child protective services and program administration and management.

• This includes knowledge of policy development and administration; investigative methods and procedures; planning; report writing; methods for coordinating the activities of multiple agencies and jurisdictions; rules of evidence; privacy/confidentiality regulations; civil and criminal legal procedure; research and analysis techniques; quality assurance and best practice implementation; adult education and training; public relations; information systems; budget planning and administration; supervision; and contract administration.
• Requires some knowledge about guidelines and licensing for state run facilities.
• Requires skill in public speaking; communicating verbally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in an effective manner; identifying and resolving issues and problems related to child and family services; researching, organizing, and delivering reports; gathering and analyzing information; conducting investigations; conducting research.
• Skilled in the use of office equipment and database, spreadsheet, presentation, email, internet, and word processing computer applications.
• Requires the ability to utilize critical thinking and independent judgment; analyze and communicate program metrics; navigate ongoing issues with an in-depth level of understanding regarding specific and involved child protection issues, child development, family dynamics, poverty, and social justice; be effective in problem-solving and managing conflicts; establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse people, sometimes in adverse environments; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; to learn and apply the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of child and family service programs; to gather, analyze, assemble and present data and narrative information for use by others; prioritize assignments and work under deadlines; and to organize and complete detailed work.
• Requires knowledge of basic social science research principles and data analysis.
• Requires occasional evening and weekend work.

AMAZING State of Montana benefits:

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) plan choices - Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution
• Additional 457b Deferred Compensation plan
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Position is not Telework Eligible

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a résumé at the time of application.

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a “Relevant File”.

Your Résumé: Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

Closing Date (based on your computer's time zone): MAY 15, 2023