State of Washington
Social Service Specialist 1-3 In-Training (SSS3) - Region 5/Pierce & Kitsap Coun
State of Washington, Tacoma, Washington, us, 98417
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. Note: This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies within Region 5 as they occur. Job Title and Details
Job Title:
Social Service Specialist 1-3 (In-Training). Units: CPS/Investigations, CPS/FAR, and CFWS. Locations:
Region 5 - Pierce and Kitsap Counties. Offices are located in Puyallup, Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, and Bremerton.
Region Map Job Type:
Full-time, Permanent. Salary:
$4,771 - $7,622. Assignment Pay: When the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3, they will receive 10% assignment pay. This assignment pay is in addition to the regular base salary as the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children. Review Date:
Applications are reviewed regularly. About DCYF Roles
DCYF is looking for Social Service Specialists at the 1-3 level to join us in Region 5. We are hiring for multiple offices, programs, and units for Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS). We seek candidates who are passionate about working with parents to safely care for their children and secure a safe, nurturing, and permanent family for every young person through reunification, kinship care, or adoption. Roles include Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s in-training with the goal of Social Service Specialist 3. Apply today to join our team in Region 5. Learn more about DCYF . Responsibilities
CPS (Child Protective Services) : Investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide appropriate recommendations and services. FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for low- to moderate-level allegations. Social Service Specialists work with families to keep children safe and build community support for long-term success. CFWS (Child and Family Welfare Services) : Provide strategies to achieve safe and timely permanency for children, including active and reasonable efforts for timely reunification and monitoring placement in the child’s best interest, safe and stable, near the parent and school when possible. Determine if children are safe with their families through respectful investigation 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 with families 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 relevant 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 reasonable and active efforts to parents to prevent removal and ensure early and prompt 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 placement, appointments, or family time/sibling visits. Schedule and supervise/monitor visitations. Document case notes/case activity in the State computer database, FAMLINK. Attend court and provide expert court testimony. Qualifications
What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
The goal class is Social Service Specialist 3; however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan. In-Training Plan Option 1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits
Applicants must have at least four (4) years of on-the-job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline, or a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor’s degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline. Social Service Specialist 1:
Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. 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 in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience OR a Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Services discipline AND completed practicum. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience OR a Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. *Paid experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services. In-Training Plan Option 2 - Experience or Degree without the Required Credits
This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 credits but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire; or applicants who have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an unrelated field and are willing to obtain the required credits within 18 months of hire. Those applying under this option will begin at Social Service Specialist 1 and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months to advance. NOTE: Degrees must be in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, OR a degree with 30 credits in a Social Services discipline recognized by US Dept. of Education or CHEA. Foreign Equivalency may be required for degrees earned outside the U.S. Employees must successfully 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, and answer supplemental questions accurately. Attach a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable for submission; official transcripts required at hire). Include: College Transcripts Cover Letter Current Resume Supplemental Information:
DCYF is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving, and to a diverse and equitable workplace. If your education or experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal. This recruitment may fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted prior to a new hire, and information will be considered in determining suitability. This position requires a valid unrestricted driver’s license. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, or foreign equivalency verified by a NACES-approved organization (attach if applicable). This position is included in the WFSE bargaining unit. For more information see
WFSE . Additional Information
Benefits eligibility may differ from tab listings. For more information on benefits, visit
Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) . If you need accommodation during the application/interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you experience technical difficulties with your application, call NEOGOV or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process may call TDD at 360-664-1960. Note:
This job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Job posting number: 2025-00501.
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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. Note: This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies within Region 5 as they occur. Job Title and Details
Job Title:
Social Service Specialist 1-3 (In-Training). Units: CPS/Investigations, CPS/FAR, and CFWS. Locations:
Region 5 - Pierce and Kitsap Counties. Offices are located in Puyallup, Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, and Bremerton.
Region Map Job Type:
Full-time, Permanent. Salary:
$4,771 - $7,622. Assignment Pay: When the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3, they will receive 10% assignment pay. This assignment pay is in addition to the regular base salary as the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children. Review Date:
Applications are reviewed regularly. About DCYF Roles
DCYF is looking for Social Service Specialists at the 1-3 level to join us in Region 5. We are hiring for multiple offices, programs, and units for Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS). We seek candidates who are passionate about working with parents to safely care for their children and secure a safe, nurturing, and permanent family for every young person through reunification, kinship care, or adoption. Roles include Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s in-training with the goal of Social Service Specialist 3. Apply today to join our team in Region 5. Learn more about DCYF . Responsibilities
CPS (Child Protective Services) : Investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide appropriate recommendations and services. FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for low- to moderate-level allegations. Social Service Specialists work with families to keep children safe and build community support for long-term success. CFWS (Child and Family Welfare Services) : Provide strategies to achieve safe and timely permanency for children, including active and reasonable efforts for timely reunification and monitoring placement in the child’s best interest, safe and stable, near the parent and school when possible. Determine if children are safe with their families through respectful investigation 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 with families 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 relevant 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 reasonable and active efforts to parents to prevent removal and ensure early and prompt 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 placement, appointments, or family time/sibling visits. Schedule and supervise/monitor visitations. Document case notes/case activity in the State computer database, FAMLINK. Attend court and provide expert court testimony. Qualifications
What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
The goal class is Social Service Specialist 3; however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan. In-Training Plan Option 1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits
Applicants must have at least four (4) years of on-the-job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline, or a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor’s degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline. Social Service Specialist 1:
Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. 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 in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree with 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience OR a Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Services discipline AND completed practicum. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience OR a Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2. AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. *Paid experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services. In-Training Plan Option 2 - Experience or Degree without the Required Credits
This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 credits but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire; or applicants who have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an unrelated field and are willing to obtain the required credits within 18 months of hire. Those applying under this option will begin at Social Service Specialist 1 and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months to advance. NOTE: Degrees must be in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, OR a degree with 30 credits in a Social Services discipline recognized by US Dept. of Education or CHEA. Foreign Equivalency may be required for degrees earned outside the U.S. Employees must successfully 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, and answer supplemental questions accurately. Attach a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable for submission; official transcripts required at hire). Include: College Transcripts Cover Letter Current Resume Supplemental Information:
DCYF is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving, and to a diverse and equitable workplace. If your education or experience does not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran or military status, disability, or use of a service animal. This recruitment may fill multiple vacancies. A background check will be conducted prior to a new hire, and information will be considered in determining suitability. This position requires a valid unrestricted driver’s license. Degrees must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, or foreign equivalency verified by a NACES-approved organization (attach if applicable). This position is included in the WFSE bargaining unit. For more information see
WFSE . Additional Information
Benefits eligibility may differ from tab listings. For more information on benefits, visit
Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) . If you need accommodation during the application/interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you experience technical difficulties with your application, call NEOGOV or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process may call TDD at 360-664-1960. Note:
This job posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Job posting number: 2025-00501.
#J-18808-Ljbffr