DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 1-2 In Training
About The Position
The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD), is hiring a Social Service Specialist 1-2 In Training for the Bremerton Community Service Office. The role provides client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency and contributes to efforts to reduce the number of people living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level while eliminating disparities. The position serves applicants and recipients of the ABD/HEN and WorkFirst programs. It involves assessing clients, establishing and monitoring goals, coordinating services with community partners, providing case management, and supporting client participation and progress. The role has access to the Washington Health Plan Finder system and personally identifiable information, as well as unsupervised access to vulnerable citizens. Criminal background checks are required; certain criminal history, pending charges, or negative actions may disqualify applicants from unsupervised access to vulnerable people. Applicants must submit an updated resume, three professional references with contact information, and a letter of interest describing experience and qualifications specific to the job. Employees driving on state business must hold a valid driver's license; those using a privately owned vehicle for state business must have liability insurance. The agency emphasizes fairness, access, social justice, belonging, shared purpose, and support for Washingtonians from diverse communities.
Requirements
- For Social Service Specialist 1: A bachelor's degree or higher in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or a closely related field; or a combination of education and/or relevant experience totaling four or more years.
- Social Service Specialist 1 employees must successfully complete the division-sponsored training program within 18 months of appointment.
- For Social Service Specialist 2: Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 and completion of the agency's Social Service Specialist training program; or a master's degree in a listed or closely related field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to Social Service Specialist 1; or a bachelor's degree in a listed or closely related field and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to Social Service Specialist 1.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for interviewing clients and interacting with coworkers, community partners, medical providers, and attorneys.
- Ability to serve the public consistently with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
- Ability to de-escalate situations successfully.
- Willingness and commitment to work with underserved and homeless people and clients with mental illness or chemical dependency.
- Ability to use automated software applications.
- Passing a criminal background check is required; certain convictions, pending charges, and negative actions may disqualify a person from unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children.
- A valid driver's license is required for employees driving on state business; employees using a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive intakes and assessments with ABD/HEN and WorkFirst applicants and recipients, and develop goals with clients using assessment findings and relevant information, including medical evidence when warranted.
- Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to assess and determine client employability or incapacity.
- Conduct Pregnancy to Employment assessments with WorkFirst parents who are pregnant or parenting a child under age two to identify risks or barriers and determine ability to participate in WorkFirst.
- Develop WorkFirst Individual Responsibility Plans with clients and coordinate services with partner agencies and community organizations.
- Create, implement, monitor, and modify goals with customers as they work toward self-sufficiency.
- Provide case management for clients with social, cultural, vocational, or medical impairments of varying degrees.
- Verify and record actual participation hours monthly.
- Participate in home or alternate-site visits to evaluate living situations and assess vulnerable or disabled applicants, recipients, or children when clients are unable or unwilling to come to the CSO due to lack of understanding or non-compliance with CSD policy.
- Follow non-compliance sanction policies and procedures, and monitor progress by tracking monthly re-engagement efforts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
