Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) - Belonging House/Vancouver

State of Washington•Vancouver, WA

46d•$5,398 - $7,254•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) to join our Vancouver Belonging House team. Belonging House is a Placement Exception Facility that supports DCYF Dependent youth who present with complex issues and concerns. The facility may serve up to seven youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Social Service Support Specialist to three youths. This position will play a key role in promoting positive youth development and improving outcomes for youth placed in Belonging House. It also is responsible for providing supervision, culturally appropriate emotional support, personal attention, and a structured daily routine. This position will require strong assessment and engagement skills to support youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs, while also calmly managing crisis situations through de-escalation techniques.

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
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.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
AND
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.
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

Experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, supervised volunteer experience in youth/child-oriented organizations, counseling youth, education, or home visitations.
Previous demonstrated experience using FAMLINK.
Previous demonstrated work experience in preparing records.

Responsibilities

Provide youth supervision and monitoring.
Transport youth to and from school and community-based appointments.
Monitor and assess youth compliance with treatment, education, medical and wellbeing program requirements, and risk to self/others.
Document breaches of security and behavioral incidents.
Maintain a written account of each youth's daily activities and interactions during work shifts in FAMLINK.
Manage weekly and monthly appointment calendar.
Intervene with youth to de-escalate as appropriate.
Conduct routine and random resident checks.
Coordinate case planning activities for the youth with their assigned Social Service Specialist.
Prepare, serve, and supervise meals.