Northern Michigan University will host a recruiting event for the Michigan Department of Human Services, which is hiring 500 child welfare services employees. The official DHS news release follows. The information specific to NMU is in bold.

 

Michigan Department of Human Services News Release

 

Contact:Gisgie Dávila Gendreau, public relations director, 517-373-7394

             

Michigan Department of Human Services to hire more than 500 Michigan college graduates to work in child welfare services

DHS partners with Michigan colleges, universities to hold recruitment events statewide

 

Feb. 4, 2011

 

The Michigan Department of Human Services today announced it is hiring more than 500 highly qualified Michigan graduates to work in children’s protective, foster care, adoption, juvenile and home licensing services to continue to improve the child welfare system, Director Maura D. Corrigan said.

 

“This is encouraging news because these people will be on the front lines, working with Michigan children and families to ensure they have the services and supports they need,” Corrigan said. “This move is an important step that helps our department fulfill its commitment to protect Michigan’s most vulnerable children.”

 

DHS is partnering with five colleges and universities statewide to pilot a series of three-day recruitment and interview events to reach a diverse pool of applicants.

 

The first event is scheduled Feb. 8-10 at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Applicants begin by attending a panel presentation titled “A Career in Child Welfare Services for the Social Sciences” from  5-6:20 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in Jamrich Hall room 102. At the end of the panel, those interested may sign up for a round-one interview on Wednesday. Some will be selected for round-two interviews on Thursday. To pre-register or for more information, call 906-227-2800 or write careers@nmu.edu.

 

Other dates and locations are as follows:

• Feb. 15-17 at Michigan State University in East Lansing

• Feb. 22-24 at Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus in Grand Rapids

• March 1-3 at Oakland University in Rochester

• March 8-10 at Marygrove College in Detroit

 

This endeavor puts words into action, demonstrating the strong commitment Corrigan and the department have to resolve a federal consent decree that mandates improvements in the child welfare system. DHS entered into a consent decree in July 2008 with New York-based Children's Rights, Inc., and has made progress, including increasing the number of children adopted from foster care and providing in-home services and supports to children with serious emotional needs who are in the foster care system.

 

“I find news of the job fair exciting not only for our students, but for our region and state,” said Frederick J. Antczak, dean of the GVSU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “Grand Valley is providing well-prepared students to help re-energize the economy.

 

“And as a Grand Rapids native, I’m proud of our students and gratified at the idea of what they will accomplish.”

 

Day 1 will feature an introduction panel presentation, “A Career in Child Welfare Services for the Social Sciences,” that requires pre-registration. Interested applicants will also have the opportunity to sign up for a one-on-one session with a DHS employee for the following day.

 

Day 2 will feature a one-hour session where the applicants must complete a written exercise and application form, as well as undergo a brief behavior-based interview. Applicants will be notified immediately if they are selected to come back for a second interview the following day.

 

Day 3 will feature a one-hour session where applicants will complete a 45-minute behavioral-based interview with two DHS employees.

 

The events are open to all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. That includes holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, psychology, family studies, counseling psychology, criminal justice, sociology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family and/or child development, or guidance/school counseling.

 

Current students with an expected May 2011 or August 2011 graduation are encouraged to apply.

 

“This event came about as a very pleasant, but very much welcomed, surprise,” said Jim Gadzinski, NMU director of academic and career advisement. “With the level of unemployment and the economy as it is, this is truly a great opportunity for our graduating seniors, our alumni, and the people of the Upper Peninsula.”

 

“We enthusiastically welcome the Department of Human Services to the Michigan State University campus for their recruiting event, and we are confident the department will be impressed with the outstanding talent and preparation of students from the College of Social Science,” said Marietta L. Baba, dean of MSU's College of Social Science. “The DHS hiring surge is encouraging to students in the social, behavioral and economic sciences and acknowledges the critical role that these fields play in addressing real world problems.”

 

Added Corrigan: “Employing caring and qualified graduates to continue to make strides in the child welfare system is a tremendous – and necessary – investment in our future.”

 

For more information and to pre-register, please visit www.michigan.gov/dhsjobs. For more information about DHS, please visit www.michigan.gov/dhs. Follow DHS on Twitter @MichiganDHS or become a fan at www.facebook.com/MichiganDHS.

 

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