What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Treatment Court Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3) - Lakewood position at State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and...?
Description
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: Family Treatment Court Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) In-Training
Location: Lakewood, WA – Region 5. Pierce County. (Region Map). This position is full-time, permanent, and requires time in the field and office. Full-time teleworking is not an option.
Closes: 03/24/2025
Salary: Social Service Specialist 2: $5,117 - $6,876. Social Service Specialist 3: $5,370 - $7,226. Assignment Pay: This position will receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This in addition to the regular base salary; 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.
We're looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (or Social Service Specialist 2 in-training) to join our Family Recovery Court (FRC) team. FRC is a specialized regional program within CFWS based out of the Lakewood Office. Our team participates in team-building activities and works together to embrace each team member's strengths to make a successful unit. We believe in supporting each other, learning, and growing together as a unit. If you want the opportunity to positively impact families in need, join our dynamic family court team and apply today.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position performs advanced levels of specialized case management in the Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) division specifically designated to the Pierce County Superior Court's Family Recovery Court dependency program. This position ensures timely permanency outcomes for all children on their caseload including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody plans, engages in critical thinking through shared decision-making and collaborative case planning in a non-adversarial, therapeutic court setting, and protects children from risk of harm whenever such risks are indicated. In this role, you will partner with SUD treatment services to wraparound families who have open Dependencies. Bonuses of this program are quick access to treatment services, one location for UAs, mental health, SUD treatment, and familiar faces for our families in Court. This position may hold both FRC cases and Lakewood CFWS cases.
Some of what you will get to do:
- Provide case-specific and ongoing assessment of safety, danger, and risk.
- Work with County Superior Court officers, tribes, attorneys, and court staff to prepare court hearings.
- Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and mandates.
- Interview children, family members, caregivers, and collateral sources to assess child safety and determine service needs.
- Identify and develop appropriate permanent plans, and implement concurrent plans.
- Develop service plans and goals for families regarding safety and support.
- Provide reasonable or active efforts to parents and ensure early and prompt referrals.
- Coordinate and assess delivery of services and permanency planning that includes collaboration with parents, children, extended relatives, and support systems.
- Participate in shared planning meetings.
- Work with families and caregivers to find the best possible outcome for child placement that will nurture the child’s cultural and family ties.
- Prepare and counsel children and families for the need for placement and separation, working through loss trauma and helping families reunite.
- Meet timeframes for child health and safety visits, family visits, court reporting, and achieving permanency plans.
- Collaborate with community partners for local resources and family services.
- Complete health and safety visits with children and ensure continued safety and well-being for the child.
- Consult with attorneys and court-appointed personnel.
- Prepare and file dependency petitions, court reports, and other legal documents.
- Serve summons to parties for court hearings and explain the court process to parents and children.
- Attend all court hearings associated with assigned caseload and provide testimony.
- Maintain case files and produce discovery.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with an in-training plan to advance to Social Service Specialist 3.
Social Service Specialist 2:
Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Bachelor's 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, or any Master's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND a completed Practicum.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.
OR
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 that 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 include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
NOTE:
- 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. For Degrees obtained outside the U.S.: Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.
- The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Experience working with children and families in Child Welfare programs.
- One year of experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
- Knowledge and familiarity with local community and resources.
- Knowledge of child welfare laws and policies.
- Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.
- Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile in detail and attach the following:- Transcripts (A copy of your college transcripts is acceptable for applying).
- Updated Resume
- 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.
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.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
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 position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, 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.
2025-01895
Salary : $5,370 - $7,226
