Description

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

We are looking for Social Service Specialists to join our team to provide case management and human services to children and families, working toward the common goal of eliminating child and youth outcome disparities based on race and ethnicity. Our vision is that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The Opportunity (Social Service Specialist 1-3):

Are you looking for a way to gain experience in the rewarding field of social services? We are hiring entry-level, and experienced Social Service Specialists to work in communities served by the Kelso office. This is a great opportunity for those starting in social work to gain experience in the field or an incredible way to advance your career if you already have social service experience.
Social Service Specialist 1:
Work in a supportive role to the Social Service Specialist team by transporting children, providing case management, and filing support.

Social Service Specialist 2:
Provide routine social service functions, including assessment and court-related tasks. Additionally, you will assist the Social Service Specialist 3’s with accomplishing duties and tasks in support of DCYF mission and values .

Social Service Specialist 3:

• Provide strength-based and solution-focused services to ongoing cases for families.
• Assess and intervene on routine referrals or cases to protect children, and plan for permanent living arrangements for children assuring health and education needs are met.
• Provide routine assessment and planning of routine cases that include immediate family, extended family, and children.
• Assist with coordination of case assessment actions while utilizing solution-based casework principles.
• Consult with agency attorney, and prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
• Provide ongoing assessment of risk for routine social service functions using the agency's preferred risk assessment model.
• Use shared planning activities to obtain input from others who are closely concerned with the case, and to help develop and coordinate care plans.
• Assist in placing children in foster care or other approved placements, and prepare the child for visitation with family and siblings.
• Assess risks and dynamics of reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody.

We are recruiting for multiple Social Service Specialists who will have the opportunity to work in one of the following programs:
Child Protective Services CPS Investigations- CPS Specialists investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide the appropriate recommendations and services for families.
Family Assessment Response (CPS Family Assessment Response)– 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 or Investigative 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 supports the family needs to be successful in the long term.
Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS): CFWS Specialists provide permanency planning and intensive treatment services to children and families with high levels of risk. These are long-term services that may include out-of-home care, appropriate recommendations, and services for families, including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and permanency outcomes to support child development.

Who Should Apply?
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist at the 2 levels, with a training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the following levels:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Experience providing strength-based, solution-focused services to families.
• Experience providing ongoing assessment of risk for routine social service functions.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Current, up to date resume
• A cover letter explaining why you are passionate about the role and what makes you best qualified
• College Transcripts

Supplemental Information:
Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation.

Work duties will be performed in an office environment, teleworking is not an option.

Employees reporting to an office building are required to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines and protocols.

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.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple positions.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 701-4928 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

To take advantage of the Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

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