What are the responsibilities and job description for the FVS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Centralia position at State of Washington?
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: FVS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Centralia, WA
Closes: 5/2/25
Salary: $5370 - $7226 Monthly. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is 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. The indicated salary does not include a 3% general wage increase and an additional 2.5% targeted increase effective July 1st, 2025.
DCYF is looking for a Family Voluntary Services (FVS) Social Service Specialist to join our amazing Centralia office. The Centralia office is a small office full of dynamic people who are passionate about child welfare. The mission of DCYF is to protect children and strengthen families so they flourish. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position assesses complex family situations, interviews children and parents, assesses child safety and risk, develops plans to protect children, and offers services to help support children and families and mitigate safety concerns.
Some of what you'll do:
- Provide comprehensive assessments of casework needs for children and families.
- Oversee voluntary placement while continuing to work with children and parents to resolve abuse/neglect issues.
- Provide psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other appropriate correspondence to outside agencies.
- Coordinate with Children's Health and Education Track (CHET) social service specialist to ensure children are screened for behavioral, health, and educational needs.
- Coordinate with schools to ensure school staff are aware of services in place and that children receive appropriate educational support and services.
- Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
- Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
- Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
What we are looking for at each level:
Social Service Specialist 3:
- Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.
- 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 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 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 One (1) year of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
- 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.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of child development, applicable Federal and State laws, and community resources.
- Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
- Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
- Ability to organize information to meet FAMKINK documentation requirements.
How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
- Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
- Cover Letter
- Current resume detailing experience and education
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 bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
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.
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.
03019
Salary : $5,370 - $7,226
