Job Description

Posting number: 2026-03476

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 6

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community.

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.”

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

Location: Tumwater, WA

Closes: 7 28/26

Salary: $ 66,072 - $ 93,288Annually. This position 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

This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply— your application status remains unchanged.

DCYF is seeking After-Hours Social Service Specialists at the 2-3 levels to join our amazing Region 6 team at our Tumwater office. Our office excels at teamwork, including cross-program communication, collaboration, and assistance. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services to the children and families we serve. If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them support, apply today!

Click here to learn more about DCYF

The Opportunity:

We're hiring Social Service Specialists 3s or Social Service Specialists 2s "in-training" to work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays. As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 6 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.

Some of what you'll do:

Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.
Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in the FAMLINK database.
Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.
Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS Investigation cases, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS/FAR cases, and monthly Health and Safety visits on CFWS and FVS cases.
Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.
Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child's physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement when needed.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

The goal class of this position is a Social Service Specialist 3. We will also consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

Social Service Specialist 2:

Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

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.

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

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

Social Service Specialist 3:

Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

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*.

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*.

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2

AND

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

*Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

Public child welfare experience.
Case management experience.
Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
Ability to appropriately apply child safety and risk assessment to a variety of complex situations involving child abuse and neglect and imminent risk of serious harm.
Prior experience displaying critical thinking skills and the use of shared decision-making.
Prior experience using FAMLINK case management system and documenting casework information within timeframes.

Salary Ranges:

Social Service Specialist 2: Range 57 ($ 66,072– $ 88,788)
Social Service Specialist 3: Range 59 ($ 69,348- $ 93,288)

Worker Core Training (WCT):

As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT). This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to perform core job functions, including assessing risk and safety, supporting child well-being, gathering information, and conducting case and permanency planning. During the training, you will have opportunities to practice these skills through classroom activities, simulation exercises, and debriefs. Upon hire, you will be assigned to the nearest available training cohort. The training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8). For those eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs.

The WCT curriculum is designed to prepare Social Service Specialists for the responsibilities of the role, including:

Understanding the child welfare system
Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to child welfare
Policies, procedures, and best practices
Assessing child safety through environmental observation, interviews with children and caregivers, and collateral contacts
Collecting records and collaborating with community partners, including medical providers, law enforcement, and chemical dependency services
Completing assessments and documenting case notes
Writing dependency petitions and court reports
Preparing for and testifying in court

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

Transcripts ( Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
Cover Letter
Current resume detailing experience and education.

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

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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

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 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, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here

DSHS BHHA Strategic and Organizational Performance Manager description imageDCYF 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.

03476

About Clark County WA

With its great natural beauty, Clark County, Washington, always has attracted people and settlements. Framed by the scenic Cascade Range to the east and the majestic Columbia River to the south and west, the area is a picturesque place to work, play and live.

Named for Captain William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition frame, our county is one of the fastest growing regions in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Today, more than 440,000 people call Clark County home.

Clark County government is one of the county's largest employers, providing a wide range of challenging positions for about 1,570 people. You can learn about current job openings, the application process, job descriptions, pay schedule and employee benefits on the Clark County Human Resources website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources.

The mission of Clark County government is to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness and accountability.

Industry

Government & Public Safety

Company Size

501-1,000 employees

Headquarters

Vancouver, WA

Year Founded

1844

Website

wa.gov

Social Media

After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Tumwater

Job Description

About Clark County WA