State of Washington
Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Aspire House/Centralia
State of Washington, Centralia, Washington, United States, 98531
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."
Job Title Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4)
Location Centralia, WA (Aspire House)
Closes 10/29/25
Salary $6107 - $8210 Monthly
This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply— your application status remains unchanged.
We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead a team of Social Service Specialists at the Centralia Aspire House Placement Exception Facility. Placement Exception Facilities provide short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. The Aspire House may serve up to seven youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Support Specialist to three youths. If you have a passion for leadership and making a difference in your community, apply today.
Additional information about DCYF: the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
The Opportunity:
The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Support Specialist 4 (SSS4) functions as the lead of Social Service Specialists in the absence of the Social Service Specialist 5. The SSS4 is expected to provide leadership, guidance, and support in the delivery of services to youth and staff, ensuring that all activities align with the program’s objectives and standards.
Responsibilities:
Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
Supervise youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
Report on strengths and opportunities of employees to their direct supervisor.
Serve as Lead Specialist assigned the most complex cases.
Report on strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
Provide coverage for social service staff in their absence.
Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.
What we're looking for
(Required Qualifications) :
Seven years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services
AND
30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. OR One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3. OR A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND two (2) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. A two-year Master’s degree in one of the above fields that includes a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. OR A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. AND
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.
*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Previously demonstrated case management experience.
Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
Previously demonstrated professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services accordingly.
Previously demonstrated familiarity with agency’s software programs, including Outlook and FAMLINK.
How to apply Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes)
Current resume detailing experience and education.
Cover Letter
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 invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (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, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:.
This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please black out (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job Title Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4)
Location Centralia, WA (Aspire House)
Closes 10/29/25
Salary $6107 - $8210 Monthly
This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply— your application status remains unchanged.
We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead a team of Social Service Specialists at the Centralia Aspire House Placement Exception Facility. Placement Exception Facilities provide short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. The Aspire House may serve up to seven youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Support Specialist to three youths. If you have a passion for leadership and making a difference in your community, apply today.
Additional information about DCYF: the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
The Opportunity:
The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Support Specialist 4 (SSS4) functions as the lead of Social Service Specialists in the absence of the Social Service Specialist 5. The SSS4 is expected to provide leadership, guidance, and support in the delivery of services to youth and staff, ensuring that all activities align with the program’s objectives and standards.
Responsibilities:
Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
Supervise youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
Report on strengths and opportunities of employees to their direct supervisor.
Serve as Lead Specialist assigned the most complex cases.
Report on strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
Provide coverage for social service staff in their absence.
Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.
What we're looking for
(Required Qualifications) :
Seven years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services
AND
30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. OR One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3. OR A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND two (2) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. A two-year Master’s degree in one of the above fields that includes a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. OR A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. AND
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.
*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Previously demonstrated case management experience.
Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
Previously demonstrated professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services accordingly.
Previously demonstrated familiarity with agency’s software programs, including Outlook and FAMLINK.
How to apply Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes)
Current resume detailing experience and education.
Cover Letter
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 invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (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, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:.
This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please black out (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.
#J-18808-Ljbffr