Washington State ESD
Social Service Specialist 1-3 In-Training (SSS3) - Region 5/Pierce & Kitsap Coun
Washington State ESD, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Overview
Our vision is to ensure that Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community. DCYF is recruiting for Social Service Specialist 1–3 (In-Training) to fill multiple vacancies in Region 5, with assignments in the CPS/Investigations, CPS/FAR, and CFWS units. Locations include Region 5 – Pierce and Kitsap Counties (offices in Puyallup, Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, and Bremerton). This is a full-time, permanent position with salary range $4,771–$7,622. Assignment pay of 10% begins when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3; this is in addition to base pay due to duties that include visits in unregulated environments to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse/neglect and assess safety of children. Applications are reviewed regularly. We are hiring for Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s in-training with the goal class Social Service Specialist 3. Positions support the following programs: Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS). If you are passionate about helping families provide safe and nurturing environments, one of these roles may be a fit. Click here to learn more about DCYF.
Responsibilities
Determine if children are safe with their families through respectful investigations and/or assessments. Intervene to protect unsafe children and develop a case plan with the family to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children. Follow child welfare laws, policies, and procedures. Conduct ongoing comprehensive assessments of safety and risk, develop case plans, and authorize services for children, youth, birth parents, and caregivers. Implement culturally appropriate, ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans that are goal-directed, behavioral-specific, and time-limited. Refer, coordinate, and monitor the delivery of services. Utilize shared planning meetings to plan, develop, and coordinate with parents, relatives, attorneys, and other professionals. Conduct health and safety visits to ensure the child’s health, safety, and well-being needs are met. Develop and implement timely permanent plans that are responsive to the child’s permanency needs. Provide active efforts to parents to prevent removal and ensure early referrals for court-ordered services. Identify primary and concurrent permanent plans within legal and mandated time frames. Consult with agency attorney and prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery. Assist in placing children in approved placements and prepare the child for visitation with parents and siblings. Transport children to placements, appointments, or family time/sibling visits; schedule and supervise visitations. Document case notes/case activity in the State computer database (FAMLINK). Attend court and provide expert court testimony.
Qualifications
The goal class is Social Service Specialist 3; however, candidates may be considered at the Social Service Specialist 1 or 2 levels in-training with an option-based pathway to advance. Two In-Training Plan options are available: Option 1: Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with Required Credits Option 1.1: Social Service Specialist 1 — Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations, AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; OR a Bachelor’s degree in Social Service, Human Service, Behavioral Science, or any degree that includes 30 credits in a Social Service discipline. Commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Option 1.2: Social Service Specialist 2 — Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline, OR a Bachelor’s degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND one year of paid social service experience, OR a Master’s degree in social services/human services/behavioral sciences with the required credits and practicum; commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Option 1.3: Social Service Specialist 3 — Six (6) years of paid social service experience with the required credits OR a Bachelor’s degree with two years of paid experience OR a Master’s degree with one year of paid experience and one year as a Social Service Specialist 2; commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Paid experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety and providing direct family-centered services. Option 2: Experience or Degree without Required Credits This option is for applicants with four (4) years of paid social service experience who do not have 30 credits, or applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an unrelated field who are willing to complete the required credits within 18 months of hire. Employment starts at the Social Service Specialist 1 level; educational requirements must be completed within 18 months to advance. Note: Degrees must be in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or include 30 credits in a Social Service discipline as recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education or CHEA. Foreign degrees must include a verified equivalency. Employees must complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of appointment.
How to apply
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details, answer the supplemental questions, and attach copies of college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for submission; official transcripts required at hire). Attach: College Transcripts, Cover Letter, Current Resume.
Supplemental Information
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We encourage all candidates to apply and value diversity and equity. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted prior to hire. A valid driver’s license is required. Degrees must be from an accredited institution; foreign degrees require foreign equivalency documentation. This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Benefits and Accommodations
Benefits eligibility may differ from information in the benefits tab. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you experience technical difficulties, contact NEOGOV support.
This position is in Region 5, with locations in Pierce and Kitsap counties. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted before hire, and a valid driver’s license is required.
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Our vision is to ensure that Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community. DCYF is recruiting for Social Service Specialist 1–3 (In-Training) to fill multiple vacancies in Region 5, with assignments in the CPS/Investigations, CPS/FAR, and CFWS units. Locations include Region 5 – Pierce and Kitsap Counties (offices in Puyallup, Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, and Bremerton). This is a full-time, permanent position with salary range $4,771–$7,622. Assignment pay of 10% begins when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3; this is in addition to base pay due to duties that include visits in unregulated environments to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse/neglect and assess safety of children. Applications are reviewed regularly. We are hiring for Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s in-training with the goal class Social Service Specialist 3. Positions support the following programs: Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS). If you are passionate about helping families provide safe and nurturing environments, one of these roles may be a fit. Click here to learn more about DCYF.
Responsibilities
Determine if children are safe with their families through respectful investigations and/or assessments. Intervene to protect unsafe children and develop a case plan with the family to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children. Follow child welfare laws, policies, and procedures. Conduct ongoing comprehensive assessments of safety and risk, develop case plans, and authorize services for children, youth, birth parents, and caregivers. Implement culturally appropriate, ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans that are goal-directed, behavioral-specific, and time-limited. Refer, coordinate, and monitor the delivery of services. Utilize shared planning meetings to plan, develop, and coordinate with parents, relatives, attorneys, and other professionals. Conduct health and safety visits to ensure the child’s health, safety, and well-being needs are met. Develop and implement timely permanent plans that are responsive to the child’s permanency needs. Provide active efforts to parents to prevent removal and ensure early referrals for court-ordered services. Identify primary and concurrent permanent plans within legal and mandated time frames. Consult with agency attorney and prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery. Assist in placing children in approved placements and prepare the child for visitation with parents and siblings. Transport children to placements, appointments, or family time/sibling visits; schedule and supervise visitations. Document case notes/case activity in the State computer database (FAMLINK). Attend court and provide expert court testimony.
Qualifications
The goal class is Social Service Specialist 3; however, candidates may be considered at the Social Service Specialist 1 or 2 levels in-training with an option-based pathway to advance. Two In-Training Plan options are available: Option 1: Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with Required Credits Option 1.1: Social Service Specialist 1 — Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations, AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; OR a Bachelor’s degree in Social Service, Human Service, Behavioral Science, or any degree that includes 30 credits in a Social Service discipline. Commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Option 1.2: Social Service Specialist 2 — Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline, OR a Bachelor’s degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND one year of paid social service experience, OR a Master’s degree in social services/human services/behavioral sciences with the required credits and practicum; commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Option 1.3: Social Service Specialist 3 — Six (6) years of paid social service experience with the required credits OR a Bachelor’s degree with two years of paid experience OR a Master’s degree with one year of paid experience and one year as a Social Service Specialist 2; commitment to equity and respectful workplace principles. Paid experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety and providing direct family-centered services. Option 2: Experience or Degree without Required Credits This option is for applicants with four (4) years of paid social service experience who do not have 30 credits, or applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an unrelated field who are willing to complete the required credits within 18 months of hire. Employment starts at the Social Service Specialist 1 level; educational requirements must be completed within 18 months to advance. Note: Degrees must be in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or include 30 credits in a Social Service discipline as recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education or CHEA. Foreign degrees must include a verified equivalency. Employees must complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of appointment.
How to apply
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details, answer the supplemental questions, and attach copies of college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for submission; official transcripts required at hire). Attach: College Transcripts, Cover Letter, Current Resume.
Supplemental Information
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We encourage all candidates to apply and value diversity and equity. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted prior to hire. A valid driver’s license is required. Degrees must be from an accredited institution; foreign degrees require foreign equivalency documentation. This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Benefits and Accommodations
Benefits eligibility may differ from information in the benefits tab. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you experience technical difficulties, contact NEOGOV support.
This position is in Region 5, with locations in Pierce and Kitsap counties. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted before hire, and a valid driver’s license is required.
#J-18808-Ljbffr