Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08350

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 5

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Legal, Mental Health, Public Relations, Public Safety, Risk Management, Social Services, Investigative, Safety, Human Services, Security, Counseling, Community and Social Services, Program Management

Summary

Our vision is to ensure that

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".

ATTENTION: This full-time, permanent position will work the following schedule: Friday (4 pm to 2:30 am), Saturday (1 pm to 11:30 pm), Sunday (11 am to 9:30 pm), Monday (4 pm to 2:30 am).

Job Title: After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3).

Location: Tacoma, WA -Region 5 Region Map. The After-Hours Unit is located in Tacoma and provides coverage to Region 5. This position requires time in the field and in the office. Travel is required in Pierce and Kitsap Counties and other areas as needed.

Salary: $66,072 - $93,288. Annually. Assignment Pay: 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.

Closing Date: 10/14/2026

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) in training to provide case management services to clients and families in the After-hours Unit, Region 5, Tacoma Office. We are seeking a Social Service professional with excellent child welfare assessment skills. Apply today and join our amazing After-hours team!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will be assigned Child Protective Services (CPS) initial intakes and assess for present danger. As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist during non-business hours. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during the times DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists. Our after-hours team works when offices are closed in the evenings, on weekends, overnights, and holidays. This position provides After-hours assistance for Child Protective Services (CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS).

Some of what you will get to do:

• Placement of child(ren) in either foster care or relative care in emergent situations.
• Respond to after-hours emergent calls concerning maltreatment of children.
• Responsible for placement of child(ren) in emergent situations.
• Assess risk and safety of child(ren), coordinating safe placement of children when determined appropriate.
• Interview children, families, and collaterals such as law enforcement, probation/parole counselors, school, medical, and mental health professionals.
• Investigate and evaluate reports of child abuse and/or neglect in compliance with RCW, WAC, and DCYF policy.
• Provide ongoing risk assessment of the family and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Make face-to-face contact on 24-hour and 72-hour intakes.
• Respond to crisis situations of DCYF children who are placed in either foster care or relative care.
• Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK.
• Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
• Attend staff meetings and mandatory training.
• Attend and testify in court; respond to subpoenas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Social Service Specialist 2:

Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND a completed practicum.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Bachelor’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience.

OR

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1).

AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Social Service Specialist 3:

Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) 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 two (2) years of paid social service experience*.

OR

One year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).

AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

*For the SSS3 level: Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• The most desirable qualification is prior public child welfare experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work with a completed practicum.
• Prior case management experience with mandatory clients.
• Professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behaviors.
• Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge of child welfare laws, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Knowledge and familiarity with local community services and resources.
• Prior experience displaying critical thinking skills and the use of shared decision-making.
• Strong skills in time management and organization, and the ability to develop independent systems to manage large workloads.
• Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
• Able to partner effectively with clients, caregivers, colleagues, and other professionals.
• Prior experience using FamLink case management system and documenting casework information within timeframes.
• Familiarity with the agency’s software programs, which include Outlook and SACWIS/CCWIS.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and education details, and complete the supplemental questions as accurately as possible. Please attach a copy of your college transcripts to confirm the required courses. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.

Attach the following:

• College Transcripts (an unofficial copy is acceptable for application)
• Cover Letter
• Current Resume

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 goal 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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 position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

Incumbent must attend all mandatory DCYF training, including After-Hours CORE Training provided by the Alliance and other training as needed within one year of initial employment.

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.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit- Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please black out (redact) the Social Security Number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans' Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. 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.

2026-08350