DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 1-2 In Training

State of Washington•King County - Seattle - Rainier Valley, WA

About The Position

The Social Service Specialist 1–2 In Training works with the Economic Services Administration’s Community Services Division at the Seattle-Rainer 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 in a way that eliminates disparities. The position supports applicants and recipients of the ABD/HEN and WorkFirst programs through assessments, case management, goal setting, and coordination with partner agencies. It includes Pregnancy to Employment assessments, developing WorkFirst Individual Responsibility Plans, monitoring participation, and conducting home or alternate-site visits when clients cannot or will not come to the office. The role has access to Washington Health Plan Finder information and personally identifiable information, and unsupervised access to vulnerable citizens. Criminal background checks are required.

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 at least four 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 a 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 a 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 with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
Ability to de-escalate situations.
Willingness and commitment to work with underserved people, including people experiencing homelessness, people with mental illness, and chemically dependent clients.
Ability to use automated software applications.
Must pass a criminal background check.
Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license; employees using a privately owned vehicle for state business must have liability insurance.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive intakes and assessments with ABD/HEN and WorkFirst applicants and recipients, and develop client goals 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, identifying risks and barriers to participation and assessing their ability to participate in WorkFirst.
Develop WorkFirst Individual Responsibility Plans and coordinate services with other agencies and community providers.
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 and disabled applicants, recipients, or children when clients are unable or unwilling to come to the CSO.
Follow non-compliance sanction policies and procedures and track monthly re-engagement efforts.
Perform other duties as assigned.