After-Hours On-Call Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Region 5/Tacoma

State of Washington•Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is hiring a Social Service Specialist 3 or Social Service Specialist 2 in training for its After-Hours Unit in Tacoma, Washington. The unit provides after-hours coverage for Region 5, including Pierce and Kitsap Counties and other areas as needed. The role involves work in both the field and the office, with travel required. Staff work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays, responding to and investigating reports of child abuse and neglect while DCYF offices are closed. The position provides after-hours assistance for Child Protective Services, Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Reconciliation Services, and Family Voluntary Services. The hourly pay range is $31.64–$44.68. Positions may receive 10% assignment pay upon reaching the Social Service Specialist 3 goal class.

Requirements

For Social Service Specialist 2: Five years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline; or a qualifying master's degree and completed practicum; or a qualifying bachelor's degree and one year of paid social service experience; or one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
For Social Service Specialist 3: Six years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline; or a qualifying master's degree and one year of paid social service experience; or a qualifying bachelor's degree and two years of paid social service experience; or one year as a Social Service Specialist 2.
At the Social Service Specialist 3 level, paid social service experience must include at least one year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Ability to take action to learn and grow and to meet the needs of others.
At least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
Attend all mandatory DCYF training, including After-Hours CORE Training provided by the Alliance and other training as needed within one year of initial employment.
Degrees must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA, or be a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization. Foreign equivalency certification must be attached for degrees obtained outside the United States.

Nice To Haves

Prior public child welfare experience.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Social Work with a completed practicum.
Prior case management experience with mandatory clients.
Professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorders, developmental delays, or criminal behaviors.
Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
Knowledge of child welfare laws, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
Knowledge of local community services and resources.
Experience using critical thinking and shared decision-making.
Strong time-management and organizational skills, including the ability to develop independent systems for managing large workloads.
Ability to make critical decisions in high-stress situations by integrating information from multiple sources, including discrepant information.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services accordingly.
Ability to partner effectively with clients, caregivers, colleagues, and other professionals.
Experience using the FamLink case management system and documenting casework within required timeframes.
Familiarity with agency software, including Outlook and SACWIS/CCWIS.

Responsibilities

Respond to emergent and other after-hours requests.
Meet required timeframes and complete documentation and paperwork in FAMLINK.
Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action when danger is identified.
Conduct 24-hour emergent and 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts, as well as monthly Health and Safety visits.
Observe and document children’s physical condition, living environment, and behaviors.
Follow agency policy when photographing a child's physical condition or environment to document suspected abuse or neglect.
Respond to Protective Custody inquiries and partner with law enforcement when needed.
Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children in their homes or in out-of-home care through court intervention.
Supervise youth after hours when placement efforts are ongoing or a safe, appropriate placement cannot be located.
Collaborate with social workers in other units and offices.
Use the Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) screens.
Maintain case records, required forms, and reports.
Transport children and youth to placements, school, respite, and other destinations.
Attend and testify in court and respond to subpoenas.