Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Richland

State of Washington • Benton County – Richland, WA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Our vision is to ensure that “ All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community." This position serves as the lead worker for Intake, Placement, Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET), Foster Care Rate Assessment, and Missing From Care. The office is focused on child safety, staff retention, and creating a safe environment for staff as they learn and develop their skills in child welfare practice. In this role, you will provide mentorship, on-the-job training, and assistance in the transition of staff from formal training to fieldwork. This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, and establishes procedures for efficient workflow. In the absence of the unit supervisor, this position will facilitate meetings and make decisions regarding case staffing.

Requirements

• Seven years of paid social service experience.
• Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• OR One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• 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 two (2) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• 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.
• OR A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
• A minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Prior public child welfare experience
• Previously demonstrated case management experience.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
• Previously demonstrated familiarity with the agency’s software programs, which include Outlook and FAMLINK.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
• Conduct on-the-job training and assistance with staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork.
• Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Serve as Lead Specialist assigned to the most complex cases.
• Report on the strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
• Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony in court when necessary.
• Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.

Benefits

• The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.
• We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.
• The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted.
• This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level