Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3) - Region 3 / NW Washington

Salary : $5,398.00 - $7,622.00 Monthly

Location : Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

Job Type : Full Time - Permanent

Job Number : 2025-00175

Department : Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division : CW Field Operations - Region 3

Opening Date : 10 / 29 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Salary Information : The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

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."

Attention : This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies within Region 3 as they occur. If you have already applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged.

Job Title : Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) and Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3). Units : CPS, CPS / FAR, and CFWS.

Locations : Region 3 - Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish Counties. Offices are located in Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, Arlington (Smokey Point), Everett, Lynnwood, and Monroe (Sky Valley).

Job Type : Full-time, Permanent.

Salary : $5,398 - $7,622. Assignment Pay : When the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3, they will receive 10% assignment pay. This assignment pay is in addition to the regular base salary as the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and / or neglect and assess the safety of vulnerable children.

Review Date : Applications are reviewed regularly.

DCYF is seeking Social Service Specialistsat the SSS2 or SSS3 levelto join us at one of our office locations in Region 3. We're hiring for multiple offices, programs, and units for Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS). If you are passionate about working with parents to safely care for their children and secure a safe, nurturing, and permanent family for every young person, whether through reunification with their birth family, kinship care, or adoption, one of these positions may be perfect for you. We are hiring for Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 2s "in-training" with the goal class being Social Service Specialist 3. Apply today and join our amazing and supportive team in Region 3!

Click here to learn more about

CPS (Child Protective Services) : CPS Specialists investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide the appropriate recommendations and services for families. Under the CPS umbrella is FAR (Family Assessment Response). FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect. Qualifying families may choose this pathway. Social Service Specialists work with families to keep children safe and build on their strengths to establish community support for long-term success.

CFWS (Child and Family Welfare Services) : CFWS Specialists provide a variety of strategies to achieve safe and timely permanency for children. Permanency planning involves active and reasonable efforts for timely reunification and identifying and monitoring placement that is in the child's best interest, safe, stable, least restrictive, and near the parent and the child's school when possible. This requires safety, permanency, and well-being activities.

D uties include, but not limited to :

• Determine if children are safe with their families through respectful investigation and / or assessments.
• Intervene to protect unsafe children and develop a case plan with the family to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children.
• Follow child welfare laws, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct ongoing comprehensive assessments of risk and safety, develop case plans, and authorize services for children, youth, birth parents, and caregivers.
• Implement culturally appropriate, ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans with families that are goal-directed, behavior-specific, and time-limited.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor the delivery of services.
• Utilize shared planning meetings to plan, develop, and coordinate with parents, relatives, attorneys, and other relevant professionals.
• Conduct health and safety visits to ensure the child's health, safety, and well-being needs are met.
• Develop and implement timely permanent plans that are responsive to the child's permanency needs.
• Provide reasonable and active efforts to parents to prevent removal and ensure early and prompt referrals for court-ordered services.
• Identify primary and concurrent permanent plans within legal and mandated time frames.
• Consult with the agency attorney and prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
• Assist in placing children in approved placements and prepare the child for visitation with parents and siblings.
• Transport children to placement, appointments, or family time / sibling visits.
• Schedule and supervise / monitor visitations.
• Document case notes / case activity in the State computer database, FAMLINK.
• Attend court and provide expert court testimony.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS :

Social Service Specialist 2 : Five (5) years of paid social service experience

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or a Master's degree that 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 a Bachelor's degree that 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

AND

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.

Social Service Specialist 3 :

Six (6) years of paid social service experience

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

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

OR

One year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).

AND

Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.

NOTE : Degrees must be in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences OR Bachelor's or Master's degree must include 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline whose degree is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.

How do I apply? Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details, and complete the supplemental questions as accurately as possible. Applicants must attach a copy of their college transcripts . Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission however, official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.

Attach the following :

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 mission 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.

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

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 :

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 -

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

2025-00175

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits :

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note : If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note : Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and / or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note : Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025

01

SELF-ASSESSMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS- The following questions will be used to verify qualifications and to determine the appropriate job classification. Any variation in your answers verified through the review process may delay your application. You will be asked to verify your education, experience, and the information provided on your online application, including your responses. Accuracy is essential.

02

Please choose, which of the following best describes how you meet the required qualifications.

03

In a few sentences, please briefly describe how you meet the required qualifications listed above.

04

For the SSS3 level :

05

Please list your highest level of education completed and degree field of study. (example : Completed BA degree, MA degree, Doctorate, and list your major / minor).

06

If you have a degree outside of the Social Services, Human Services, or Behavioral Sciences field, please list all of your qualifying Social Services, Human Services, or Behavioral Sciences semester or quarter hours (be specific and do not write, see transcript).

07

Which of the following Social Service Specialist areas are you interested in? (Choose one or both).

08

If you participated in a DCYF Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP) program, please select the answer that best reflects your status.

09

Please choose any of the following locations you are interested in (choose one, multiple, or all locations).

10

This position requires a criminal background check prior to employment. 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. Are you willing to undergo a criminal background check as a condition of employment?

11

Do you have a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license?

12

Failure to attach my transcripts may result in automatic disqualification from the application proceeding in this recruitment. Have you attached a copy of your transcript?

13

For those that have degrees obtained outside of the U.S., I certify I that I have included a foreign equivalency certification verified by a NACES-approved organization from naces.org.

14

DCYF - How did you hear about this job opportunity?

Required Question