Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08556

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 4

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

Job Title: Family Voluntary Services (FVS) - Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3).

Location: Kent, WA - Region 4 Region Map. This full-time, permanent position requires time in the field and office. Travel is a requirement of this position. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, travel with clients as cases require, and travel to attend trainings and meetings in other locations.

Salary: $66,072 - $93,288 Annually. King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. 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.

Closing Date: 10/23/2026

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) for the Family Voluntary Services (FVS) Unit in Region 4, Kent - King SE Office. Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with an in-training plan to advance to Social Service Specialist 3. If you want the opportunity to make a positive impact on children and families in need, apply today and join our dynamic FVS team!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

The Child Protective Services (CPS) unit investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect and provides appropriate recommendations and services for families. This position performs advanced-level work in the assessment of families referred to FVS through CPS Investigations with a primary focus on child safety. The (FVS) Family Voluntary Specialist provides services to a caseload of families, allowing parents to voluntarily engage in services to increase their protective capacities and meet the child’s safety, health, and well-being needs. In this role, you will evaluate family situations, interview children and families, assess child safety and risk, develop plans to protect children, offer services to keep children safely in the home, and provide advanced-level specialized case management in high-profile complex cases.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Provide case-specific assessments and ongoing assessments of safety, danger, and risk.
• Assess resource needs of children, birth parents, and caregivers, and provide stabilization supports.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor delivery of services.
• Provide goal-directed, task-centered, and time-limited crisis intervention to children and families.
• Utilize shared planning activities to develop and coordinate collaborative case plans.
• Determine resources available for placement of the child.
• Identify and develop appropriate permanent plans and implement concurrent planning.
• Provide reasonable and active efforts to parents and ensure early and prompt referrals.
• Utilize SACWIS/CCWIS to document case activities, maintain case records, and initiate payments for placement and services.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents.
• Prepare written reports to the court on dependency matters and make appropriate recommendations.
• Consult with attorneys and court-appointed personnel.
• Serve summonses to parties for court hearings and explain court process to parents and children.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony.
• Produce discovery.

Required Qualifications:

Social Service Specialist 2:

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

OR

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 a completed practicum.

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 One (1) year of paid social service experience.

OR

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

AND

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

Social Service Specialist 3:

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

OR

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 One (1) year of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

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* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

OR

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.

*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:

• 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 agency’s software programs, which include Outlook and SACWIS/CCWIS.

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 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.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Incumbent must attend all mandatory DCYF training, including Social Service Specialists Academy Training Institute and CHET-specific training requirements, within twelve months of initial appointment.

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

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 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 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, 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 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.

2026-08556