What are the responsibilities and job description for the Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Burien position at State of Washington?
Salary : $5,783.00 - $7,779.00 Monthly
Location : King County - Burien, WA
Job Type : Full Time - Permanent
Job Number : 2025-01032
Department : Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division : CW Field Operations - Region 4
Opening Date : 02 / 06 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 16 / 2025 11 : 44 PM Pacific
Salary Information : The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
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 : Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
Location : Placement Exception Facility, Burien, WA - Region 4. Hours vary and include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. There will be some variation in work hours due to the need to provide 24 / 7 care for youth in the facility setting. Travel for training, to attend meetings / conferences, or travel to other Statewide Placement Exception Facilities to support staff and youth may be necessary. May transport youth as cases require. Closes : 02 / 16 / 2025
Salary : $5,783 - $7,779. The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.
We have two Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) Lead Worker opportunities that require someone with strong assessment and engagement skills to mentor Social Service Specialists and support youth at the Lake Burien Placement Exception Facility. If this sounds like something you would excel at, apply today and join our dynamic team in their work to promote positive change in youth behaviors and improve long-term youth placement outcomes.
Click here to learn more about
The Opportunity :
The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) functions as the lead of Social Service Specialists in the absence of the Social Service Supervisor 5. The SSS4 is expected to provide leadership, guidance, and support in the delivery of services to youth and staff, ensuring that all activities align with the program's objectives and standards. The Placement Exception Facility provides short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. This facility can accommodate up to seven youths, with a staff-to-youth ratio of one SSS or support specialist for every three youths.
Some of what you will get to do :
- Manage and lead daily functions in the Placement Exception Facilities.
- Model trauma-informed approach in working with all youth.
- Teach, guide, mentor, coach, consult, and provide on-the-job training to Social Service Specialists.
- Ensure youth are receiving access to education, proper nutrition, and activities.
- Ensure proper documentation of daily events regarding youth and programming.
- Assist staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork.
- Supervise youth with mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
- Monitor, store, document and administer medication as prescribed by youth clinician.
- Ensure proper implementation of Right Response 4 techniques to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to challenging behaviors exhibited by youth.
- Document and report incidents, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
- Complete annual staff performance evaluations, and identify training needs.
- Provide coverage in the absence of a Social Service Supervisor and Social Service Specialists; fill in as Supervisor in the supervisor's absence.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :
Seven (7) years of paid social service experience
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment :
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following :
How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and education and attach the following :
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.
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 :
Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what's listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit -
If you need an accommodation throughout the application / interview process, contact . If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email
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.
2025-01032
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits :
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note : If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note : Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and / or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note : Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
Which of the following best describes how you meet the qualifications for this position?
For degrees obtained outside the U.S.) Have you included a foreign equivalency certification verified by a NACES-approved organization from naces.org?
Do you have a valid unrestricted driver's license? (other than corrected lenses).
This position requires a criminal background check prior to employment. 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. Are you willing to undergo a criminal background check as a condition of employment?
How did you hear about this job opportunity?
Required Question
Salary : $5,783 - $7,779
