Job Description

Description

This position will receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This 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.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is a new cabinet agency in Washington State that has been established for the purpose of delivering existing services in a way that produces better outcomes for children, youth, and families served by the State of Washington.

Our vision is that "All Washington\'s children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The Opportunity:
Flexible On-Call Schedules. Apply Today!
We are seeking high-energy Social Service professionals willing to work in an on-call, after-hours job. We are recruiting for all levels of Social Service Specialists. You will respond to emergency calls in the Ellensburg area. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect in a timely and efficient manner during the times that the local DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM each day, on weekends, and all holidays, although the need to assist children still exists. The average number of hours per week varies depending on the number of days you can work and the number of calls received. You are expected to be on-call if scheduled to work on the calendar that you help create along with the needs of After-Hours. There is a lot of flexibility in scheduling, some weekends are to be expected.

An after-hours job is excellent for those professionals already employed in social services, but wish to supplement their income. This is also a great opportunity for those starting in social work to gain experience in the field.

Some of what you will do as an After-Hours Specialist:

• Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS Investigation cases, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS/FAR cases, and monthly Health and Safety visits on CFWS and FVS cases.
• Gather and document sufficient information to assess for present danger and take protective action if present danger is identified. If present danger is identified the Afterhours Worker must report to their supervisor that present danger was identified and what protective actions were taken to manage the present danger.
• Observe and document the physical condition and behaviors of the child
• Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child\'s physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
• Follow DCYF Policy pertaining to Interviewing a Victim or Identified Child when conducting a comprehensive interview.
• Observe and document the child\'s living environment if possible.
• Gather and document demographic information for all adults and parents/caregivers in the home.
• Interview the Out-of-home caregiver and identify any support or training needs for the caregiver.
• Obtain and document sufficient gathering question information to determine the protective capacity of the parent/caregiver in the home.
• Consult with the after-hours supervisor as needed.
• Partner with law enforcement, when needed.
• Obtain sufficient information from the child, parents/caregivers, and relatives to complete the Child Information and Placement Referral.
• Conduct an NCIC emergent CODE X background check on a possible relative or suitable other placement options.
• Conduct home walk-throughs of the relative or suitable other if they passed the NCIC emergent CODE X background check and place children in the home if no concerns about the physical condition of the home.
• Provide the relative, suitable other, or licensed foster home with required placement forms.
• Transport children/youth, as arranged by the assigned Day Shift Social Worker, to/from school, CRC, BRS placement, foster placements, respite, detention, relative placement, etc. and provide the placement with the requisite placement forms.

Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1) Range 51: $25.20 - $33.91 per hour
Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) Range 56: $28.55-$38.37 per hour
Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) Range 58: $29.97-$40.32 per hour

What we are looking for:
Possible Combinations Education Experience
Social Service Specialist 1 Bachelor\'s or Master\'s Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field. N/A
Social Service Specialist 2 N/A One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1
Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field. Two (2) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.
Master\'s Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field. One (1) year of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.
OR
A completed practicum
Social Service Specialist 3 N/A One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2
Bachelor\'s Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field. Three (3)years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
AND
One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Master\'s Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field. Two (2) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
A completed practicum
AND
One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Qualifying Degrees: Anthropology, Child Development, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Family Studies, Human Development, Human Service, Law and Justice, Psychology, Pastoral Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Therapeutic Fields, Therapeutic Recreation

NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one (1) year of their appointment.

Degree 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 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. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.

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

• Ability to effectively communicate and comprehend with management, peers, clients, community colleagues, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Current working knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Ability to partner effectively with other professionals involved in the preparation of child and family prospective permanency families for transition and permanency outcome.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with the child\'s caregiver (foster parents, relatives, kin, or facility staff). Include caregivers in the care planning process and provide support for meeting the child\'s unique needs.
• Ability to implement risk assessment in all cases as defined by law and best practice using the agency preferred risk assessment model.
• Ability to fully utilize shared decision-making processes for making case plans, including Family Team Decision Meetings, dependency case conferences, permanency planning staffing\'s, Child Protective Teams, Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee, adoption teaming staffing\'s, Behavior Rehabilitation Services team meetings, etc. Include children, as appropriate, in the development of service plans.
• Ability to use and knowledge of FAMLINK standards and requirements.
• Ability to complete work in a timely manner, following established policies and procedures regarding the timeline for Emergent and Non-emergent referrals.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Current resume detailing experience and education
• University/College Transcripts

Supplemental Information:
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 covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the Recruitment team at If you\'re experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email .

To take advantage of the Veteran\'s preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

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