Intake Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Spokane Valley

State of Washington • Spokane County - Spokane Valley, WA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Intake Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) supports cases across Child Protective Services, Child and Family Services, Family Voluntary Services, and Family Reconciliation Services. The position receives child abuse and neglect reports and requests for other DCYF services from the community, gathers and assesses information, and prepares intakes for distribution to field workers. The position is primarily telework, with the possibility of being required to report to the Spokane Valley office at any time.

The role requires completing intake assessments within required timelines, assessing risk and safety, and documenting findings in FAMLINK. New hires must successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training, which includes four weeks at the Seattle training site during Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem for trainees eligible for travel from their assigned duty location. The incumbent must also complete required formal training courses within one year of appointment.

Requirements

• One of the following qualification pathways: six years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a social service discipline; or a bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a degree including the specified social service credits, plus two years of paid social service experience; or a master's degree in those fields or a degree including the specified credits, plus one year of paid social service experience; or one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• 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 take action to meet the needs of others.
• At least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.
• Successfully complete required formal training courses within one year of appointment.
• Degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution; foreign degrees require equivalency verification by a NACES-approved organization, with certification attached to the application.
• Submit transcripts, a cover letter, and a current resume detailing experience and education with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Public child welfare experience.
• Case management experience.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies concerning 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 related to child abuse and neglect, or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Take and process calls and reports concerning child abuse or neglect and requests for other DCYF services.
• Interview callers, make referrals, and document information received, asking clarifying questions and obtaining relevant details.
• Assess risk, safety, and protective factors and record the information in FAMLINK.
• Conduct thorough data searches using available records and resources, and verify information.
• Identify clients, family members, caregivers, and children to obtain pertinent information for assessing risk and protective factors and making screening decisions.
• Complete intake assessments within required timelines.
• Refer cases to law enforcement when criminal acts may have been committed.

What This Job Offers

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