Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06011

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 6

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

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: Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5)

Location: Vancouver, WA (Belonging House)

Closes: 10/13/26

Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually

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

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5) to supervise a team of Social Service Specialists at the Vancouver Belonging House Placement Exception Facility. Placement Exception Facilities provide short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. The Belonging House may serve up to three youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Support Specialist to three youths. If you have a passion for leadership and making a difference in your community, apply today.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

The Social Service Specialist 5 functions as the first-line supervisor of a unit of social service specialists and is responsible for managing the day-to-day functioning of Belonging House, including on-call duties, supervision of direct care staff, and responding to emergent situations as needed. This position does not carry cases, nor will the incumbent be in the "office". Rather, as a supervisor at the Belonging House, the preferred candidate will be on the floor supporting their team and the youth for the majority of each shift. This position will utilize cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with youth, peers, community partners, and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the youth, including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication, and learning style.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Supervise a unit of social service specialists.
• Model positive pro-social behavior with youth and staff in Belonging House.
• Ensure that the youth at Belonging House receive access to education, nutrition, and youth enrichment activities.
• Coordinate with the youths' primary assigned social service specialist to manage case plans and ensure proper coordination of services.
• Support youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
• Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate supervisory coverage for the office.
• Participate in supervisory, administrative, and individual meetings and conferences.
• Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation.
• Ensure that Social Service Specialists document all case activities and information gathered within the case file and FAMLINK electronic record.
• Lead staff through coaching, counseling, and feedback as necessary.
• Prepare written performance evaluations for staff utilizing the current Performance Evaluation system.
• Hire and train new and existing professional staff in the law, policies, and procedures governing their job assignments.
• Keep staff informed of policies, rules, and regulations affecting their jobs and the clients they serve.
• Provide consultation and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) 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 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.

OR

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.

OR

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).

OR

Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).

AND

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

NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.

*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

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

• Working understanding of state and federal laws and agency policies and regulations.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Demonstrated experience providing direct care to youth in a community environment.
• Demonstrated familiarity with community resources.
• Ability to use de-escalation techniques approved for intervention by DCYF with verbally and/or physically aggressive youth.
• Demonstrated understanding of adolescent development and complex trauma.
• Experience using FAMLINK to maintain documentation.

How do I apply?

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

• College/University Transcripts -an unofficial copy is acceptable for application purposes.
• 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 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.

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.

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