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

State of Washington • Grays Harbor County – Aberdeen, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Aberdeen office is recruiting a Social Service Specialist 2-3 for its Child Protective Services (CPS) / Family Assessment Response (FAR) unit. The role assesses complex family situations, interviews children and parents, evaluates child safety, develops plans to protect children in their homes, and offers services to children and families. The position may have some flexibility to telework, but most work is completed in the office or field, providing one-on-one support to children and families. Duties include visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and assess the safety of vulnerable children.

The goal class is Social Service Specialist 3. Candidates may also be considered at the Social Service Specialist 2 level and advance to the goal class under a training plan. The annual salary range is $66,072–$93,288, depending on level; the position may receive 10% assignment pay upon reaching the goal class.

The incumbent must successfully complete mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT), including four weeks at the Seattle training site during Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem for employees eligible for travel from their assigned duty location. Training covers child welfare systems, applicable Washington law, policies and practices, assessing safety, collecting information and records, collaboration with community partners, case documentation and planning, court reports, dependency petitions, and testifying in court.

Requirements

• For Social Service Specialist 2: five years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a social service discipline; or a qualifying bachelor’s degree and one year of paid social service experience; or a qualifying master’s degree and completed practicum; 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 service discipline; or a qualifying bachelor’s degree and two years of paid social service experience; or a qualifying master’s degree and one year of paid social service experience; or one year as a Social Service Specialist 2 and the ability to take action to learn and grow and to meet the needs of others.
• Paid social service experience must include at least one year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
• At least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
• Successfully complete mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training and required formal training courses within one year of appointment.
• Degrees must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and CHEA, or be a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization. Foreign degree equivalency certification must be attached to the application.
• Submit transcripts, a cover letter, and a current resume detailing experience and education with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Case management experience.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Knowledge of addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery principles, and/or experience working with individuals with substance use disorder.
• 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.
• Conduct ongoing safety and risk assessments throughout the life of a case and take appropriate action to protect children, address parental deficits through services, and support families.
• Assess casework needs for children, parents or guardians, and foster parents, prioritizing child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement and work with families to identify the most appropriate placement.
• Monitor children’s health and safety through regular visits.
• Use FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes, and offer services to children and families.
• Complete required Worker Core Training and formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements.

Benefits

• Hotel accommodations and per diem for employees eligible for travel to required training from their assigned duty location.
• Potential 10% assignment pay upon reaching the Social Service Specialist 3 goal class.

What This Job Offers

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