What are the responsibilities and job description for the CPS Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Kent/King SE position at State of Washington?
Job Title: CPS Lead Worker - Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
Location: Kent, WA – Region 4. King Southeast (KSE) Office. This position is full-time and permanent requiring time in the field and the office; full-time teleworking is not an option.
Closes: 02/28/2025
Salary: $ 5,783 - $ 7,779. The salary listed will include an additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. Assignment Pay: This position will also receive 10% assignment pay, 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 are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead Social Service Specialists in our Kent KSE Office. The ideal candidate is experienced and knowledgeable in (CPS) Child Protective Services and is ready to take on a supportive, mentorship role. If you have the necessary skills and are passionate about helping children and families, apply today.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position functions as a lead worker over Social Service Specialist staff who provide professional-level social services to clients involved with (CPS) Child Protective Services Investigations and (FAR) Family Assessment Response. This position provides coaching, mentoring, on-the-job training, and assistance in the transition of staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. Also, this position assigns work, conducts case reviews, maintains procedures for efficient workflow, and acts as unit supervisor (SSS5) in their absence.
Some of what you'll get to do:
- Provides on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to staff.
- Serves as a lead position over Social Service Specialists and Social Service Support Specialists (SSSS, SSS1, SSS2, and SSS3 levels).
- In conjunction with the supervisor, assigns work, reviews work for efficacy, uses data to identify trends, and reviews case actions for accuracy.
- Responsible for reporting strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor, providing feedback for annual performance evaluations, and identifying training needs.
- Provides coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a social service specialist.
- In the supervisor’s absence, attends meetings and provides supervisory coverage.
- Serves as the lead worker assigned to the most complex cases determined by the supervisor or Area Administrator.
- Prepares and provides testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
- Trains, coaches, and supports Social Service Specialists in preparing court reports, court testimony, hearings, and proceedings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or Bachelor’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service 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.
OR
A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service 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 included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience).
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
*Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
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.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Child welfare experience in program areas: Child Protective Services (CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Family Voluntary Services (FVS), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Adoptions/Permanency.
- Case management experience.
- Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
- Professional experience working with clients who have mental health or substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
- Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services accordingly.
- Familiarity with the agency's software programs, which include Outlook, Excel, and FamLink.
How do I 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 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.
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 valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) 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 (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.
2025-01193
Salary : $5,783 - $7,779
