Job Description

Posting number: 2026-07620

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: Licensing

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

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.”

Job Title: Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: The official duty station is located at 501 SE Columbia Shores Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98661. (This position includes a hybrid schedule which involves in-person office work, telework from home, field work, home visits, and attending meetings)

Closes: Sunday, September 27th, 2026

Salary: $69,348 - 93,288 Annually

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a passionate and dedicated Social Service Specialist to join our Kinship Licensing team in the Vancouver, Washington community. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a strong, supportive, and mission-driven team committed to helping children, youth, and families thrive through connection, stability, and community.

At DCYF, we work alongside Washington’s vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community. Our Kinship Licensing team plays a vital role in ensuring children remain connected to their families, cultures, and communities whenever possible. We are proud of our collaborative team culture and the meaningful work we do each day to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and the caregivers who support them. This position offers a unique and rewarding blend of specialized family support, clinical assessment, relationship building, and advocacy while supporting children and families through a kin-first approach.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

In this role, the Kinship Care Licensor performs advanced-level specialized case management in high-profile or complex cases involving children and vulnerable adults by conducting comprehensive kinship licensing assessments that thoughtfully evaluate caregiver strengths, challenges, family history, parenting capacity, trauma-related experiences, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and available support systems. Through ongoing engagement, home evaluations, and collaboration with caregivers, this position helps identify and address barriers that may impact a caregiver’s ability to provide nurturing and supportive care while preserving critical family, cultural, and community connections for children in the care and custody of the Department.

This role requires strong clinical assessment skills, critical thinking, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to aligning practice with DCYF’s racial equity and social justice framework. The Social Service Specialist uses a kin-first culture to support families, ensuring children maintain important cultural and community ties throughout the life of the case, while meeting all casework management directives as required by law.

Additionally, the nature of this work requires the ability to function effectively in high-stress environments and adapt to evolving policies, procedures, and program needs. Discretion, sound judgment, and clear communication regarding worker whereabouts are essential to supporting both worker safety and the safe, consistent delivery of services to children, families, and caregivers.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Conduct assessments through intensive interviews and information gathering to complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement, certification, and/or licensing in compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• Consult with applicants, refer them to services or training, and support them throughout the home study and licensing process.
• Prepare clear and thorough written assessments describing caregiver family history, strengths, and areas of concern.
• Assist caregivers in overcoming barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or become licensed.
• Complete in-person inspections of homes, outbuildings, and surrounding premises to assess safety and licensing compliance.
• Review completed background checks, collateral information, waivers, and disqualifications.
• Provide technical assistance and interpretation of policies and statutes governing licensing functions while supporting caregivers through the certification and licensing process.
• Communicate timely kinship licensure updates to Placement Coordinators, fiduciaries, tribal partners, contracted providers, and other administrations, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with Child Welfare programs, DCYF divisions, and partner administrations to support communication and preserve safe, stable placements during the home study process.
• Interview caregivers, household members, and verbal children while observing caregiver-child interactions and coordinating with other professionals to support safe and healthy placements for children.
• Partner with Licensing Division programs during investigations involving allegations of CA/N or WAC violations and provide technical assistance, resources, and support to foster parents.
• Provide testimony and written declarations during administrative hearings and court proceedings related to home studies and licensing actions.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

• 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* 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 as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).

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 (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

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

• Work cooperatively with diverse populations.
• Working foundation and understanding of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensing kinship homes.
• Program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
• Ability to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Able to travel without restrictions.
• Use of MS Office (Word and Outlook) and Department databases.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

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

Worker Core Training:

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

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.

Incumbent must hold a valid driver’s license when operating a state or privately-owned vehicle while on official state business.

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.

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 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.

2026-07620