Social Service Specialist

Why It's a Great Opportunity: 
As a professional with experience in and understanding of justice involved individuals, you have the unique opportunity to make a difference in the community.  As a Social Service Specialist, you will work with clients and/or their attorneys to provide release planning, case management, crisis management, advocacy, and referral of services to clients.

Pierce County District Court (PCDC) is dedicated to offering the most effective and efficient methods of administering criminal justice. PCDC has remained focused on improving outcomes for justice-involved individuals. This involves working with the entire individual and recognizing and addressing all of their risks and needs and not treating the individual as simply another case to manage. Best practices are utilized throughout PCDC from our therapeutic courts to our probation division. The workforce of PCDC is diverse and resembles the community to which it serves but recognizes there is always room to improve and better serve the public.
 
Why It's a Great Department: 
The PCDC Probation division focuses resources on defendants who are at the highest risk with the highest level of needs. This is a core foundational principle in probation. This is achieved through the completion of a risk/needs assessment. In addition, the PCDC Probation Division utilizes motivational interviewing to enhance intrinsic motivation in defendants. Both of the before-mentioned practices are evidenced-based. PCDC Probation has specialized probation units designed to focus on the specific risks and needs of the defendants. The units include the Domestic Violence Unit, the DUI Unit, the Behavioral Health Unit, the Medium Supervision Unit, the Drug Abuse Reduction Team, and the Veteran's Court. The various units provide officers with the opportunity to utilize their skills in any of the various units. 

How to be Successful in the Role:
We are looking for candidates who have some knowledge or understanding of the following: working with justice-involved veterans, domestic violence dynamics, substance use and mental health issues and their connection to criminal activity.   This role requires the ability to navigate community resources. Develop ongoing collaborative relationships with service providers and other stakeholders. You will also establish and clear transition processes for clients. Your efforts will increase client utilization of supportive services (health insurance, behavioral health treatment, housing, transportation, employment, etc.), while decreasing utilization of emergency services. Your clients will also have a decrease in risk and needs.

Your Future in this Role:
As you develop, this role has robust training where you will spend the majority of your time with assigned supervisors and officers from various units. You will learn the processes for each of the units as well as be trained in the core functions of the Courts. 

This classification works with clients and/or their attorneys to provide release planning, case management, crisis management, advocacy, and referral of services to clients. An employee may work with clients, attorneys, program coordinators, community partners, and providers in a variety of dependency or criminal proceedings.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Maintain confidentiality and professional ethical standards required by state and federal statutes.
• Develop, plan, coordinate, and implement new program activities and strategies.
• Provide case management for program participants; schedule and facilitate meetings and group sessions, attend committee meetings, service staffings and court hearings.

 To view the complete classification, click here.

• Bachelor’s degree in law, social services, human services, behavioral science, criminal justice, or an allied field is required. 
• Two years of social service experience in the criminal justice system preferred.
• Additional education and related experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements. 

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Successful completion of a Pierce County background investigation is required prior to employment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master of Social Work; experience teaching, training, and working with individuals and organizations.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, and testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.  

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screening, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact on our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?

Salary : $34 - $43