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 Spokane Maple Community Service Office, where you will provide vital, client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency. 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 and coordinating documentation for federal disability benefits, collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely support. 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.
- Cultural competence: Understand and integrate diverse cultures and family dynamics into interventions.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.
- Ability to work with hard to serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals.
- Excellent written, verbal, and documentation skills; effective in interviewing and collaborating with customers and professionals.
- Ability to interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
- An ability to efficiently handle large caseloads, develop casework plans, and refer customers to internal/external resources.
- Ability to defuse difficult and potentially hostile situations, make independent and critical decisions in high-volume and high-stress situations, support customers with emotional needs, and serve vulnerable population with respect, compassion, empathy, and confidentiality.
- Ability to read and interpret the Washington Administrative Code and procedural manuals to assist in the determination of eligibility.
- Ability to learn and utilize various automated programs and software applications.
- Willingness to work with each customer to achieve the highest level of functioning and independence.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and how to interpret medical information for incapacity determination.
Responsibilities
- Conduct assessments to determine a person’s level of functioning including evaluating education, social history, living situation, employment history, as well as physical and behavioral health status.
- Develop individualized care plans to provide specific action steps from assessment findings and provider recommendations.
- Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation.
- Work collaboratively with the WorkFirst/Social Service Specialist teams, medical providers, SSI Facilitation team, other agencies and community partners.
- Screen, and refer customers for medical, psychiatric, and other tests.
- Authorize referrals to medical specialists and create payment reimbursements.
- Review and interpret objective medical information to determine customers' diagnosis, prognosis, and physical ability to perform past work; relate findings to program eligibility.
- Make timely claim determinations, utilizing appropriate databases for information gathering.
- Refer customers to other agencies such as mental health, substance abuse programs, domestic violence services, vocational rehabilitation, and monitor their progress in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, ensuring follow-up and coordination of services.
- Carry a caseload, maintain and update case records with detailed documentation; review cases regularly to assess customer’s progress and continuing program eligibility.
- Explain department policies and provisions of the law to individuals and members of the community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- An updated resume.
- Three professional references with contact information.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
