CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Port Angeles

State of Washington • Clallam County - Port Angeles, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our vision is to ensure that “ All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community". This position is for a CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) in Port Angeles, WA. The role involves hybrid work, including in-person, telework, and field work. The salary range is $66,072 - $93,288 Annually, with a potential 10% assignment pay upon reaching the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. 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 are seeking a proactive Child Protective Services (CPS) Family Assessment Response (FAR) Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join the Port Angeles team, which excels at teamwork, cross-program communication, collaboration, and assistance. The role requires passion for caring for children and providing them support. In this role, you will assess complex family situations, interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes, and offer services to children and families.

Requirements

• Social Service Specialist 2: Five (5) years of paid social service experience 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 which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience. 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 Service discipline AND completed practicum. OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Social Service Specialist 3: Six (6) years of paid social service experience 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 AND The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
• Worker Core Training (WCT): As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT).
• This training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8).
• The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
• This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Case management experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery principles, and/or experience working with individuals with substance use disorder.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build consensus with families, community partners, and professionals around difficult or sensitive topics.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family throughout the life of the case and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, 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.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

Benefits

• 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 goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
• 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.
• 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/ .
• DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program.
• The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level