CFWS Social Service Specialist 1-3 In Training (SSS3) - Spokane North

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington is recruiting for CFWS Social Service Specialist 1-3 in-training in Spokane. The role involves assessing complex family situations, interviewing children and parents, evaluating child safety, and developing plans to protect children in their homes.

You will conduct investigations of abuse, provide family-centered services, and prepare cases for court proceedings. The position offers progression through in-training options and potential assignment pay.

Qualifications

• Four years of on-the-job social service experience or a Bachelor’s degree with required credits.
• Two options to meet qualifications via In-Training plan.
• Commitment to learning mandatory credits within 18 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Monitor health and safety of children through visits.
• Assess need for out-of-home placement and coordinate with families.

Skills

Social work experience

Risk assessment

Child welfare knowledge

Home visits

Education

Bachelor's in Social Service / related field

Credits: 30 semester / 45 quarter in Social Service

Tools

FAMLINK

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

Job Title: CFWS Social Service Specialist 1-3 In-Training (SSS3)

Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane North office)

Closes: 11/5/26

Salary: $58,392 - $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.

This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply - your application status remains unchanged

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.

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.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two different options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan.

In-Training Plan Option #1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits

Applicants applying under this training option must have at least four (4) years of on the job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor's degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a 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; no experience necessary.
• 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 Services discipline AND completed practicum.
• 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. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

In-Training Plan Optio n #2 - Experience or Degree without the Required Credits

This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire OR applicants who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in anunrelated field and do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire.

This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step.

AND

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

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Case management 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.

Salary Ranges:

• Social Service Specialist 1: Range 51 ($58,392 - $78,504)
• Social Service Specialist 2: Range 56 ($66,072 - $88,788)
• Social Service Specialist 3: Range 58 ($69,348 - $93,288)

Worker Core Training (WCT):

As a Social Service Specialist,