Relative Engagement Specialist (SSS3) - Olympia (Internal Only)

Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.**

Location: Olympia, WA - Remote.  This position can be located anywhere in Washington State. The employee may work remotely with some occasional in-person meetings/travel as requested.

Closes: 04/23/2025

Salary:  $5,370 - $7,226. 

The Opportunity:

DCYF gives preference to the placement of children with relatives. The Relative Engagement Specialist will identify, locate, inform, and evaluate relatives as potential placements, primarily focusing on placing children with kin to increase the well-being of children in care.  The Relative Engagement Specialist will act as a liaison to collaborate with the regions in a variety of program areas, including CPS, CPS/FAR, FVS, CFWS, and Adoptions.  This position will assist frontline Social Service Specialists and Supervisors in the field with relative placement, suitability, and permanency. 

• Implement requirements from SHB 1747.
• Interact with assigned social workers, supervisors, and relatives to conduct follow-up search efforts to identify, locate, inform, and assess paternal and maternal relatives. 
• Conduct searches for relatives; Perform due diligence searches on youth who have been in care longer than a year and are not placed with relatives. 
• Follow up with all identified relatives who must be contacted, informed, and evaluated, including out-of-state relatives.
• Identify barriers in relative placement and determine whether DCYF can assist. This may include working with LD and/or ICPC to ensure processes are started. 
• Provide meeting information to discuss permanency options to relatives, including Title 11, Title 13, or adoption.
• Guide and assist Social Service Specialists to ensure relative/kinship caregivers are informed and understand guardianship alternate plans. 
• Work with field operations staff to create a workflow to assist in meeting the requirements of SHB 1747 and accomplish the goal of increasing guardianships and relative placements.
• Collaborate with the Relative Search Unit (RSU).
• Maintain positive working relationships with team members, colleagues, and relatives.
• Develop and maintain a tracking system to ensure Famlink documentation. 
• Record management and quality assurance.
• Track assignments, searches, and inquiries.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. 
OR 
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. 
OR
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. 
OR 
One (1) year of experience* as a Social Service Specialist 2. 

*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

How do I apply?
 Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: 

•  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.

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 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.

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.          

 2025-02678

Salary : $5,370 - $7,226