DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 5 - Supervisor

State of Washington•Clark County – Vancouver, WA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

DSHS's Economic Services Administration (ESA) is seeking a Social Service Supervisor to lead a social work team located at the Columbia River Community Services Office in Vancouver, Washington. This is front-line supervisory work as you guide your team of Social Service Specialists and Case Planning Support Specialists as they help people navigate complex barriers to employment and stability, including mental health challenges, domestic violence, housing instability, and physical disabilities. Your team will serve some of our community's most vulnerable residents. In this role, your decisions matter every day. You will review case plans, approve key social worker actions, and make sure your team follows state and federal program guidelines for WorkFirst and General Assistance Unemployable programs. You will also build and maintain relationships with community partners to connect clients with the resources they need. If you are an experienced social services professional who wants to put your expertise to work supporting both staff and the people they serve, this role offers meaningful, challenging work in a collaborative office environment.

Requirements

One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3 .
A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND five years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2 .
A combination of higher education (in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field) and paid social service experience totaling at least nine years.
Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment.
Supervision: Assigns and monitors work across social work units, reviews case plans for appropriateness, and addresses performance issues with clear, constructive feedback.
Coaching: Mentors staff through complex cases and supports professional growth through formal training and ongoing guidance.
Policy knowledge: Applies state and federal welfare laws, WorkFirst program rules, and public assistance regulations accurately and consistently across the unit.
Critical thinking: Analyzes caseloads, identifies trends, and recommends strategies that help clients move toward independence.
Decision-making: Makes sound, independent judgments in complex situations involving mental health, domestic violence, housing instability, and other barriers to employment.
Communication: Conveys information clearly in writing and verbally to staff, partner agencies, management, and the public across a wide range of situations.
Relationship building: Develops cooperative working relationships with staff, contracted providers, and community organizations based on mutual respect and shared goals.
Technical proficiency: Uses agency systems including eJAS, ACES, and Barcode, along with standard office software, to complete work accurately and efficiently.
Organizational skills: Manages workflow, balances competing priorities, and coordinates scheduling to keep the unit operating effectively.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

Provide front-line supervision to Social Service Specialists and and Case Planning Support Specialists, including assigning, prioritizing, reviewing, and monitoring work to ensure timely and consistent service delivery.
Guide staff through screening, assessment, eligibility determination, case planning, and crisis intervention for WorkFirst and General Assistance Unemployable programs, and review and approve key worker actions including Protective Payee requests, Child Support Good Cause Decisions, Non-Participation Sanctions, Voucher payments, and Exceptions to Rule or Policy.
Make independent and collaborative decisions on cases involving mental health, domestic violence, chemical dependency, homelessness, developmental disabilities, and other barriers to employment and stability.
Review and interpret medical, psychiatric, psychological, and vocational reports to determine job readiness, scope of WorkFirst participation, and eligibility for state and federal programs.
Monitor alpha caseloads for uniform size and progress, and review eJAS cases for accuracy, including Individual Responsibility Plans, activity codes, and actual hours, in accordance with WorkFirst policy standards.
Conduct performance evaluations, address attendance, train and mentor staff, and coordinate recruitment and hiring for social services positions.
Build and maintain working relationships with community partners including Employment Security, Housing Authority, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Workforce Development Council, and medical providers to support client case planning and barrier removal.
Represent the office at Local Planning Area meetings, collaborate with the management team and WorkFirst Program Supervisors on local policies, and back up the Administrator during their absence.