DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2
About The Position
Join our team as a Social Service Specialist 2 with the Economic Services Administration’s (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) at the White Center Community Service Office in Seattle, where you will provide vital, client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency. This position is dedicated to the Regional SSI Facilitation Team, where you will play a key role in facilitating Social Security disability claims for eligible individuals. In this role, you will support participants in both the WorkFirst and Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) programs by conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized plans, and delivering ongoing case management. You’ll work with clients facing a wide range of vocational, medical, psychological, and social challenges, helping them navigate services, access resources, and move toward greater independence. You will also assist individuals in gathering, coordinating, and submitting documentation needed to support federal disability benefit claims, collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely claim processing. This position involves both office-based work and occasional travel for home or alternate-site visits, allowing you to meet clients where they are and provide equitable, meaningful service.
Requirements
- Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 AND completion of the agency’s Social Service Specialist training program.
- A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience.
- A two-year master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
- A bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1 .
- An equivalent combination of education/experience of six or more years.
- Employees must successfully complete the formal training course within eighteen months of their appointment.
- Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and/or adults and providing direct family-centered practice services.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills when interviewing clients and interacting with coworkers, community partners, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners
- Consistent ability to serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness
- Successful at de-escalation in situations
- Willingness and commitment to work with underserved, homeless, people with mental illness, and chemically dependent clients
- Ability to use automated software applications
Responsibilities
- Provide case management for people with social, cultural, vocational, and medical impairments of varying degrees
- Conduct assessments and create case plans for participants in the WorkFirst program
- Complete program assessments and eligibility determination for Aged, Blind, and Disabled/Housing & Essential Needs
- Create, implement, monitor, and modify case plans for customers to help achieve self-sufficiency
- Review and examine cases on a periodic basis to assess client progress and determine continuing compliance with social services programs
- Coordinate services with other agencies such as behavioral health, Employment Security, substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities
- Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to assess and determine client employability or incapacity
- Provide services collaboratively and with empathy and respect
- Interview clients and provide a comprehensive assessment of vocational, educational, social, and health history
- Authorize referrals to medical specialists and referrals to other agencies
- Performs home and alternate site visits to assist customers experiencing poverty.
Benefits
- 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary
- Eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
