Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08902

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: ESA

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Community and Social Services

Summary

DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 1-2 In Training

Join our team as a Social Service Specialist 2 with the Economic Services Administration’s (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) at the Bremerton Community Service Office (CSO), where you will provide vital, client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency.

This position will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and personally identifiable information (PII). Per the Information Exchange Agreement No. 2013-02 between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and State-Based Exchanges for the disclosure of health insurance affordability programs information under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

This position will have unsupervised access to vulnerable citizens. Certain criminal convictions, pending charges, and negative actions automatically disqualify a person from having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults, juveniles and children. Passing a criminal background check is a requirement for this position.

This position will also play a key roll in helping CSD support ESA’s efforts to reduce the number of individuals and families living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level in a way that eliminates disparities.

See why people like you chose careers with DSHS:

Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct comprehensive intakes/assessments with applicants and recipients of the ABD/HEN and WorkFirst programs in order to develop a goal with the client based on the assessment and all relevant information, including medical evidence when warranted
• Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to assess and determine client employability or incapacity
• Conduct Pregnancy to Employment assessments with WorkFirst parents who are pregnant or parenting a child under the age of two in order to identify potential risks and/or barriers to participation and to determine the parents’ ability to participate in the WorkFirst program
• Develop a WorkFirst Individual Responsibility Plan with clients and coordinate services with other agencies such as Mental Health Counseling, Domestic Violence Counseling/Support, Drug/Alcohol Assessment Centers, Employment Security Department, Social Security Administration, vocational rehabilitation agencies, developmental disabilities agencies, doctor offices, maternity support services, legal aid and other community service agencies
• Create, implement, monitor, and modify goals with customers moving toward self-sufficiency
• Provide case management for clients with social, cultural, vocational, medical impairments of varying degrees
• Verify and record Actual Participation Hours monthly
• Participate in home or alternate site visits to evaluate living situations and conduct assessments of vulnerable and disabled applicants, recipients and/or children when the client(s) is unable or unwilling to come into the CSO due to lack of understanding, or non-compliance to support CSD policy
• Follow non-compliance sanction policy and procedure, and monitor progress by tracking monthly re-engagement efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Who should apply?

Professionals that meet the following criteria:

Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1)

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or a closely related field;
• OR
• A combination of education and/or relevant experience totaling four or more years.

Note: Employees must successfully complete the division-sponsored training program within 18 months of appointment.

Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2)

• Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 and completion of the agency’s Social Service Specialist training program;
• OR
• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or a closely related field, and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1;
• OR
• A bachelor’s degree in one of the above fields, and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

What we're looking for:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills when interviewing clients and interacting with coworkers, community partners, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners.
• Consistent ability to serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
• Successful at de-escalation in situations.
• Willingness and commitment to work with underserved, homeless, people with mental illness, and chemically dependent clients.
• Ability to use automated software applications.

Interested?

Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
• Letter of Interest that describes your experience and qualifications specific to this job

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS peter.bonato@dshs.wa.gov or call Talent Acquisition mainline (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 08902.

Supplemental information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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