Job Title: Social Service Specialist 1-3 In Training (SSS3)

Location: Tumwater, WA

Closes: 5/10/24

Salary:  $4,385 - $7,016 Monthly. These positions may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children. 

Do you want to start a career in Social Services but don’t know where to start? Are you looking for a way to help families and communities safely care for their children? We are hiring Social Services Specialists in multiple specialties to help families and look out for the best interest of child safety.

The Opportunity (Social Service Specialist 1-3):
We are hiring entry-level and experienced Social Service Specialists to work in communities served by the Tumwater office. This is a great opportunity for those starting in social services to gain experience in the field or an incredible way to advance your social service career.
 
We are recruiting multiple Social Service Specialists who will have the opportunity to work in one of the following programs:

Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigations:
As a CPS Investigator, you will perform advanced-level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations, and specialized case management in the CPS unit.  This position investigates allegations, assesses complex family situations, develops plans to protect children either in their own homes or in out-of-home care through the intervention of the court system, and makes findings of abuse or neglect based on the results of the investigation. 

Family Assessment Response (FAR): 
Family Assessment Response (FAR) is an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect. Families who qualify for FAR may choose the FAR pathway. In FAR, there is no investigation and no finding of whether the alleged abuse or neglect occurred. Social workers work with the family to keep children safe and build on their strengths to establish the community support the family needs to be successful in the long term. 

Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS): 
Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) specialists provide a variety of strategies to achieve permanency for children. Permanency planning involves decisive, time-limited, and goal-oriented activities to maintain children within their families of origin or place them with other permanent families. Permanence plans include the goal for permanency, the tasks required to achieve the goal, and the roles and responsibilities of all involved. 

Family Voluntary Services (FVS): 
Family Voluntary Services (FVS) - Through shared decision-making and case planning, these individuals provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management. FVS Specialists evaluate family situations, interview children and parents, assess child safety and risk, develop plans to protect children in their own homes when needed and offer services to children and families. 

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies which could include full-time, part-time, permanent, non-permanent, and on-call.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two different options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan.  
 
In-Training Plan Option #1 - Degree with the Required Credits
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or applicants who completed any degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary.
• Social Service Specialist 2: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience*; OR Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences AND a completed Practicum; OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Social Service Specialist 3: Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*; OR Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*; OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

*Paid Social Service experience must have included assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
 
In-Training Plan Option #2 - Degree without the Required Credits
Applicants who completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an unrelated field but do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire. This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step.  

Salary Ranges:

• Social Service Specialist 1: Range 51 ($4,385. - $5,900)
• Social Service Specialist 2: Range 56 ($4,968 - $6,676)
• Social Service Specialist 3: Range 58 ($5,214 - $7,016)

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• At least one-year assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Previous demonstrated familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Previously demonstrated ability to utilize computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

 How do I apply?
 Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: 

•  Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)  
•  Cover Letter– optional, but encouraged
•  Current resume detailing experience and education.– optional, but encouraged

Supplemental Information:

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 mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.  If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
 
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. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies
 
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information:  
Incumbent must hold a valid driver’s license when operating a state or privately owned vehicle on official state business.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact . If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email .
 
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388. 

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