CPS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Tumwater

State of Washington • Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

14h • $66,072 - $93,288 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is hiring a Child Protective Services Social Service Specialist at the Social Service Specialist 2 or 3 level, with Social Service Specialist 3 as the goal class. The role is based in Tumwater, Washington, and uses a hybrid work arrangement that includes in-person, telework, and field work. Telework options are available after completion of the probationary period. The work includes visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and assess the safety of vulnerable children.

The specialist assesses children and families, investigates reports of child abuse, evaluates safety and risk, delivers services, and supports permanency planning. The role includes interviewing children and parents, developing plans to protect children in their homes, and taking further action as needed to support child safety, permanency, and well-being. Specialists may assess the need for out-of-home placement, arrange and oversee placements, manage cases, and prepare case materials and testimony for court.

The position requires successful completion of mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training. Four weeks of this training are scheduled at the Seattle training site during Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. For employees eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs. The training covers child welfare systems and law, policies and practices, safety assessment, information gathering, collaboration, documentation, court reports, and testimony.

The salary range depends on the hired level: Social Service Specialist 2, $66,072–$88,788 annually; Social Service Specialist 3, $69,348–$93,288 annually. The position may receive 10% assignment pay upon reaching the Social Service Specialist 3 goal class, in addition to regular base salary. The recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Requirements

• Social Service Specialist 2 qualification through one of the following: five years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a social service discipline; a relevant bachelor’s degree (or a degree with the specified social service credits) and one year of paid social service experience; a relevant master’s degree (or a master’s degree with the specified social service credits) and a completed practicum; or one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Social Service Specialist 3 qualification through one of the following: six years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a social service discipline; a relevant bachelor’s degree (or a degree with the specified social service credits) and two years of paid social service experience; a relevant master’s degree (or a master’s degree with the specified social service credits) and one year of paid social service experience; or one year of experience 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.
• Successfully complete formal training courses required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of appointment.
• Degrees must be from an appropriately accredited college or university, or foreign degrees must have equivalency verified by a NACES-approved organization. Foreign equivalency certification must be attached to the application.

Nice To Haves

• Public child welfare experience.
• Case management experience.
• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, child development, applicable federal and state laws, and community resources.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect, or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive assessments of casework needs for children and families.
• Investigate and assess reports of child abuse and evaluate family circumstances.
• 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 the need for out-of-home placement and work with families to identify an appropriate placement.
• Prepare psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other correspondence for outside agencies.
• Provide case management to facilitate out-of-home placements and review the need for continued out-of-home care.
• Supervise and place dependent children in foster or other approved placements when necessary.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Use FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Successfully complete mandatory Worker Core Training and required formal training courses within one year of appointment.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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