CFWS/CPS/FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3)

WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families; Friday Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking a CFWS/CPS/FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 in training on Friday Harbor, San Juan Island. The role involves assessing complex family situations, interviewing children and parents, evaluating safety, and developing plans to protect children in their homes.

Responsibilities include handling CFWS, CPS, and FVS cases, with duties such as investigations, safety planning, case documentation in FAMLINK, and court preparation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field with 30 semester/45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline and experience.
• Master’s degree in social services or related field with practicum.
• One year of paid social service experience if holding SSA1 title.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment for the family.
• Assess casework needs for child, parents, and foster parents with focus on safety.
• Assess need for out-of-home placement and coordinate with family for placement.
• Monitor health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Document case activities using FAMLINK.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

Skills

Public child welfare

Child welfare laws

Risk assessment

Family collaboration

Documentation (FAMLINK)

Inter-island coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Master’s with practicum

One year SSA1 experience

Tools

FAMLINK

Job description

Job Title: CFWS/CPS/FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3)

Location: Friday Harbor, WA

Closes: 10/19/26

Salary: $66,072 - $93,288 Annually. This position may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. 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.

We're looking for a Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) to join our amazing Friday Harbor team on San Juan Island. Our office excels at teamwork, including cross-program communication, collaboration, and assistance. This position requires adaptability and flexibility to manage casework with the complexities of inter-island navigation. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services to the children and families we serve.

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will assess complex family situations, interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes, and offer services to children and families. You will respond to all San Juan intakes and, unique to this position, hold cases for Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Child Protective Services (CPS), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS), allowing for a broad range of case management and family/community partnering.

Some of what you'll do:

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family throughout the life of the case and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s) with a focus and priority on child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

Salary Ranges:

The goal class of this position is a Social Service Specialist 3. We will also consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

• Social Service Specialist 2: Range 57 ($66,072– $88,788)
• Social Service Specialist 3: Range 59 ($69,348- $93,288)

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

Social Service Specialist 2:

• Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience.

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 Service discipline AND completed practicum.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.

Social Service Specialist 3:

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*.

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

*Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Public child welfare experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery principles, and/or experience working with individuals with substance use disorder.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build consensus with families, community partners, and professionals around difficult or sensitive topics.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

Worker Core Training (WCT):

*To learn more about WCT, please review the full job announcement.

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts - If applicable. (Unofficial college transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
• 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 goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

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 bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.

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

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 [phone] or email [e-mail]. 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.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.