Social Service Specialist 3

Job Title: CPS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: Forks, WA (This position is based in Forks but will also work in Port Angeles. This position is eligible to telework 2 days per week after the probationary period.)

Closes: 3/27/25

Salary: $5,370 - $7,226 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.

We're looking for a Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Specialist to join our amazing team. 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:

In this role, your primary responsibility is to evaluate complex family situations, interview children and families, assess child safety and risk, develop plans to protect children, and offer services to children and families to keep children safely in the home.

Some of what you'll do:

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse and neglect.
• Assess the safety and risk of the family throughout the case and take appropriate action to protect children, implement and monitor services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for children, parent(s)/guardian(s), and foster parent(s) with a focus and priority on child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Develop, implement, and monitor safety plans.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings

What we're looking for (Required Qualifications):

Social Service Specialist 3:

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline 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 which 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.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Demonstrated ability to implement risk assessment in all cases as defined by law and best practice using the agency-preferred risk assessment model.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FAMLINK system for documentation.

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 supervisory 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.