Description

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

The Opportunity (Social Service Specialist 2-3):
If you are passionate about working with children and providing them the support they need, ensuring they are being provided with the services to thrive, our Legally Free Social Service Specialist position should be your next career move.

This position promotes the Department of Children, Youth, and Families mission to protect children and strengthen families so they flourish by working diligently with children and adoptive families, by providing the necessary services to address identified needs, provide services and support, and ultimately help legally free children establish permanency by searching, recruiting, and placing in adoptive homes. This position receives little supervision and the incumbent exercises independent judgment in devising their own work methods to provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management.

Some of what you will do:

• Comprehensive Assessment and Case Management:
  • Assessment, service planning, general casework, and teaming with providers on assigned cases.
  • Apply child welfare practice principles, laws, and policies when assessing and completing casework.
  • Assure the child's physical health, mental health, and educational needs are met.
  • Provide ongoing assessment of risk.
  • Provide referrals for assessments/evaluations.
  • Utilize shared planning options/activities.
  • Complete documentation and necessary paperwork for completing the permanent plan (adoption, EEC, etc.)
• Permanency Planning and Crisis Intervention:
  • Provide casework and services to legally free children in order to establish permanency.
  • Update case plans utilizing permanency planning resources and adoption social work skills/knowledge, in order to meet the needs of the child.
• Documentation and Court-Related Functions:
  • Utilize Famlink to document case activity, and update/maintain case records/notes according to policy timeframes.
  • Maintain professional communication.
  • Prepare and submit required legal documents for all court hearings related to the dependency and/or implementation of permanent plans according to policy.

Salary Ranges
Social Services Specialist 2 - $4,656 - $6,260
Social Services Specialist 3 - $4,892 - $6,575

What we are looking for:
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 and 3 levels, with a training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the following levels:

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

• 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.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply current applicable laws, rules, and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Able to partner effectively with other professionals involved in the preparation of child and family perspective permanency families for transition and permanency outcome.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with the child's caregiver (i.e. foster parents, relatives, kin, or facility staff), including caregivers in the case planning process, and provide support for meeting the child's unique needs.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and assess risk and safety in all cases, as defined by law and best practice, and implement appropriate procedures using the agency's preferred risk and safety assessment tools.
• Ability to fully utilize shared decision-making processes for making case plans.
• Ability to access and utilize the agency's software programs, which includes accessing emails, utilizing Famlink, Word, etc.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details, and attach a copy of your college transcripts. A resume and cover letter are not required but are recommended.

Supplemental Information:

**Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 (Download PDF reader) 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**

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,

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.

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) 688-3529 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.

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