Description

Some of what you will do:

• 
  Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s).
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Conduct interviews and maintain ongoing contact focusing on strengths, cultural beliefs and values, language and learning style, and communication challenges/barriers which may impact the behaviors.
• Consult with other involved professionals/agencies focusing on the strengths, while taking into consideration the cultural background and beliefs of each, and assessing whether all providers/stakeholders are working from a solution-focused, strength-based, and culturally-competent standpoint.
• Complete family assessments.
• Facilitate the implementation of petitions, ensuring that appropriate supports are in place for the family and youth.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the strongest placement to nurture the child’s cultural and family ties.
• Provide psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other appropriate correspondence to outside agencies.
• Refer clients for psychological, psychiatric, and/or medical evaluations and treatment with other community resources, and monitor the progress and effectiveness of services provided.
• Monitor the health and safety of children by regular visitation in the placement facility and other settings. Continually reassessing needs and ensuring the continued safety and well-being of the child.
• File petitions for dependency, termination referrals, and guardianships when necessary.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Provide regular discovery to all legal parties, at minimum before every court hearing, and assessments to be provided as soon as received.
• Complete all required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
• Develop a plan to meet the child’s needs including short and long-term goals.
• Develop and implement appropriate service plans including service agreements with clients which are goal-directed, have specific behavioral objectives, and are measurable and time-limited.
• Monitor and review all court matter to ensure compliance with RCW and federal mandates.
• Participate in in-house case staffing, shared planning meetings, FTDMs, and multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency case staffing.
• Develop permanent plans with the consultation of providers and include their recommendations.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records within the program and manual standards, accountability requirements, and agency’s documentation practice in order to ensure the quality of practice and consistency of service delivery to children and families statewide.
• Initiate payments within FAMLINK for child placement and child/family services, as appropriate, in a timely and accurate manner.

What we are looking for:
Professionals with one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and three years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. A practicum will be substituted for the one year of paid social service experience

The above experience must Include one year of paid social service experience assessing risk and safety to children and providing family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

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

• Proven ability to work in an efficient and effective manner.
• Proven ability to collect and evaluate relevant information to make and assist others in making decisions.
• Proven ability to use appropriate problem-solving methods to improve processes and products.
• Proven ability to work with others to support and focus on the mission, vision, and goals of DCYF.
• Advanced skills in the practice of effective oral communication with the ability to write clearly and succinctly.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate with clients, peers, supervisor, management, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.

How do I apply?
Complete your full applicant profile with your work history and highest education details, and include a copy of your college transcripts. Resume’s and cover letters are not required but recommended.

To take advantage of 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.

Supplemental Information:
Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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.

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

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 280-3705 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

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.