Job Title: Social Service Specialist 1-3 (In-Training). We're hiring for multiple offices, programs, and units for Child Protective Services (CPS)- which includes Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS).
Locations: Region 5. Pierce and Kitsap Counties. Offices are in Puyallup, Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, and Bremerton. Region MapJob Type: Full-time, Permanent, & Non-Perm.
Compensation: Social Service Specialist 1: $4,385 - $5,900; Social Service Specialist 2: $4,968 - $6,676; Social Service Specialist 3: $5,214 - $7,016. 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. This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies within Region 5.  
 
We're looking for Social Service Specialists to join DCYF to protect children from harm, working toward the common goal of eliminating child and youth outcome disparities based on race and ethnicity. If you are passionate about working with parents to safely care for their children, and secure a safe, nurturing, and permanent family for every young person, whether through reunification with their birth family, kinship care, or adoption one of these positions may be perfect for you! We are hiring for Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s "in-training" with the goal class being Social Service Specialist 3.
 
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
 
CPS (Child Protective Services): CPS Specialists investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide the appropriate recommendations and services for families. Under the CPS umbrella is FAR (Family Assessment Response) an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect. Qualifying families may choose this pathway. Social Service Specialists work with the families to keep children safe and build on their strengths to establish community support for long-term success.
CFWS (Child and Family Welfare Services): CFWS Specialists provide a variety of strategies to achieve safe and timely permanency for children. Permanency planning involves active and reasonable efforts for timely reunification. Identifying and monitoring placement that is in the child’s best interests, safe, stable, least restrictive, and near the parent and the child’s school when possible. This requires safety, permanency, and well-being activities.
 
Duties include, but not limited to: 

• 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.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two different options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan.
 
In-Training Plan Option #1 - Degree with the Required CreditsApplicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or applicants who completed any degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary.
• Social Service Specialist 2: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience*; OR Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences AND a completed Practicum; OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Social Service Specialist 3: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*; OR Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*; OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

*Paid Social Service experience must have included assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
 
In-Training Plan Option #2 - Degree without the Required Credits
Applicants who completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in anunrelated field but do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire. This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step.
 
How do I apply?Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details and complete the supplemental questions as accurately as possible. Applicants MUST attach a copy of their college transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission however, official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process. 
 
Supplemental Information: 
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.
 
This position requires an unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.
 
Prior to a new hire, a background check, including criminal record 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 position bargaining unit is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.
 
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
 
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.
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the Talent Acquisition Specialist at 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. 
2024-01439