Social Service Specialist 5 (Sss5) - Goldendale/White Salmon

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."

Job Title: Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5)

Location: Goldendale/White Salmon, WA.  Telework flexibility after the successful probational period completion.

Closes: 7/16/24

Salary: $6,227 - $8377. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is 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.

DCYF is looking for a Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5) to join our team. Our Goldendale and White Salmon Offices are focused on teamwork and supporting skill development within the child welfare practice. If you are looking for an opportunity for professional growth and provide mentorship in a leadership role, please apply.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

As a leader in our Goldendale and White Salmon Offices, you will use strong assessment and engagement skills to supervise staff. As a front-line supervisor, you will provide advanced-level guidance and specialized case management knowledge to accomplish agency goals of child protection, permanency planning, and enhancing child well-being. This position will be responsible for the supervision of five Social Service Specialists in the Goldendale office and one Social Service Specialist in the White Salmon office.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists and complete child welfare casework.

• 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.

• Consult with administrators and human resources regarding corrective or disciplinary action as necessary.

• Train new and existing staff in gathering accurate and complete information, organizing information, and case decision-making.

• 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 child safety framework.

Required Qualifications:

Eight years of paid social service experience(paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services) AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline completed at a college recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

OR

One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

OR

Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three years of paid social service experience*.

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 years of paid social service experience*.

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

• Paid social service experience must include 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:

• Previously demonstrated experience implementing risk assessment in cases using the preferred risk assessment model.

• Experience utilizing computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

• Experience using FamLink to maintain documentation.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

•  Transcripts

•  Cover Letter

•  Current 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 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.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.  

This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/

Incumbent must hold a valid driver's license when operating a state or privately owned vehicle on official state business.

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 (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388. 

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