Placement Coordinator Social Service Specialist In-Training 1-3 (SSS3) - Toppenish

State of Washington • Toppenish, WA

32d • $4,771 - $7,622 • Hybrid

About The Position

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy- thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community." DCYF is looking for Placement Coordinator Social Service Specialists to join our amazing Toppenish office. Our office environment excels at team support, including cross-program communication and assistance, and is an open door with collaborative supervision. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today. The primary function of this position is to determine if children are safe with their families and caregivers, intervene to protect children who are not safe and develop a case plan with the family and caregivers to remedy the situation. You'll not only assess and plan, but also ensure timely permanency outcomes for all children on your caseload, including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody plans.

Requirements

• In-Training Plan Option #1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits
• Applicants applying under this training option must have at least four (4) years of on the job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor's degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.
• Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations 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 any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary.
• 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 Services discipline AND completed practicum.
• 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 a 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. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
• In-Training Plan Option #2 - Experience or Degree without the Required Credits
• This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire OR applicants who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an unrelated field and do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire.
• This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.
• The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of 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

• Placement Coordination and Placement Entry.
• Apply child welfare practice, principles, law, rules, and policy in assessing and placing children.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and excellent working relationships with foster parents, placement agencies, other placement coordinators, and office staff.
• Prepare required documents for placement and respite.
• Keep track of placements and respite through approved electronic documents.
• Provide ongoing assessment of risk.
• Assist in the development of strength-based and client-involved plans to address areas of need.
• Assist with evaluating the progress of children via communication with foster care placements and relay information to the social worker for action.
• Document case activities and maintain case records, initiate payments within FAMLINK for child placement and child/family services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees