Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05059

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 3

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Social Services, Investigative, Human Services, Counseling

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 “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

Attention: This recruitment has been reposted for additional applicants. If you have already applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged.

Job Title: CPS Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5).
Location: Oak Harbor, WA - Region 3. This full-time permanent position requires time in the field and the office. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, and the incumbent may be required to travel with clients as cases require, as well as travel to attend trainings and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 07/27/2026
Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. 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.

DCYF is seeking a dedicated and experienced Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5) to lead and support a team in our Oak Harbor office. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by mentoring staff, strengthening child welfare practice, and helping families and children achieve safety, permanency, and well-being. If you are passionate about developing others, fostering a supportive team culture, and leading through collaboration, we encourage you to apply.

Click here to learn more about DCYFThe Opportunity:

Social Service Supervisor 5s (SSS5s) function as first-line supervisors for a unit of Social Service Specialists who provide advanced-level, specialized case management in high-profile or complex cases involving children. The highly complex professional work performed by SSS5s within the Field Operations Division has both direct and indirect responsibility for protecting children and strengthening families so they flourish. SSS5s utilize planning, accountability, and tracking processes to train, support, and supervise subordinate Social Service Specialists, ensuring they meet all case management directives required by law, policy, and other mandates. They also hold staff accountable for performance expectations and address performance issues in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Supervise, mentor, and support a unit of Social Service Specialists, providing guidance, structure, consultation, and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework and adherence to law, policy, and procedure.
• Assign, prioritize, review, and monitor staff work assignments, ensuring agency intervention matches assessed levels of risk to children.
• Train new and existing staff in gathering accurate and complete information, organizing information, and case decision-making, while assisting staff in understanding their professional responsibilities and complying with agency policies, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provide coaching, counseling, and feedback as necessary; establish performance expectations; prepare written performance evaluations; and consult with administrators and Human Resources regarding corrective or disciplinary actions as needed.
• Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation, and review data reports and requests regarding practice and specific cases.
• Ensure Social Service Specialists document all case activities and information gathered within the case file and FamLink electronic record in a timely manner and complete all required supervisory documentation.
• Be responsible for local office procedures related to program operations and areas of responsibility.
• Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate supervisory coverage for the office.
• Participate in supervisory, administrative, individual meetings, and conferences.

Required Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

• A bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Four (4) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

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

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

• A Master's Degree in Social Work
• Previously demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast paced, high stress environment.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State.
• Previously demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with management, peers, clients, community, colleagues and the public.
• Previously demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, management, colleagues, and staff.
• Previously demonstrated ability to use data and case management and data tracking software to assist in problem identification and problem solving.
• Previously demonstrated ability to manage a large volume of work.
• Previously demonstrated skill in teaching and training staff, including ability to identify strengths in others and motive staff.

How do I apply?

In addition to completing the online application, please attach the following:

• College/University Transcripts - an unofficial copy is acceptable.
• Cover Letter
• 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 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.

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 Supervisor Core Training (SCT) within one year of initial 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.

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 would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF RecruiterIf 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) at360-664-1960.

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, the 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 Veterans’ 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.

2026-05059