DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) ESA, Community Services Division, seeks a full-time Social Service Specialist 2 in Seattle to conduct in-depth assessments, develop employability plans, and provide comprehensive case management for clients facing vocational, social, educational, or health challenges.

Responsibilities include eligibility determinations, work plan development, and coordination with agencies to support clients’ path to economic independence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or allied field with 2 years of paid social service experience.
• Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or allied field with 1 year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree including practicum in one of the above fields.
• 12 months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Equivalent education/experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management for clients with impairments affecting economic independence.
• Conduct assessments and eligibility determinations for Aged, Blind, Disabled/Housing & Essential Needs.
• Develop and monitor work plans for WorkFirst program participants.
• Create, implement, monitor, and adjust case plans to promote self-sufficiency.
• Review cases to ensure ongoing compliance with social services programs.
• Coordinate services with behavioral health, Employment Security, and other agencies.
• Apply medical terminology to assess employability or incapacity.
• Interview clients to assess vocational, educational, social, and health history.
• Authorize referrals to medical specialists and other agencies.

Skills

Verbal communication

Public service

De-escalation

Empathy and respect

Automated software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services

Master’s degree in social services

Master’s with practicum

1 year as Social Service Specialist 1

12 months as Social Service Specialist 1

Job description

Description

DSHS ESA - Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2)

The Economic Services Administration (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) is hiring a full-time Social Service Specialist 2 to join our team at our Capitol Hill Community Services Office in Seattle, WA.

As a Social Service Specialist 2, you will conduct in-depth assessments, develop employability plans, and provide case management for clients facing vocational, social, cultural, educational, psychological, and/or physical challenges that impact their economic independence.

At DSHS’ Community Services Division, your compassion makes a difference every day, helping Washingtonians build a path toward stability. This role can be your gateway to a meaningful career in public service.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Provide case management for people with social, cultural, vocational, and medical impairments of varying degrees
• Complete program assessments and eligibility determination for Aged, Blind, and Disabled/Housing & Essential Needs
• Conduct assessments and create case plans for participants in the WorkFirst program
• Create, implement, monitor, and modify case plans for customers to help achieve self-sufficiency
• Review and examine cases on a periodic basis to assess client progress and determine continuing compliance with social services programs
• Coordinate services with other agencies such as behavioral health, Employment Security, substance abuse programs, vocational rehabilitation, and developmental disabilities
• Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to assess and determine client employability or incapacity
• Provide services collaboratively and with empathy and respect
• Interview clients and provide a comprehensive assessment of vocational, educational, social, and health history
• Authorize referrals to medical specialists and referrals to other agencies

What We're Looking For

• Excellent verbal communication skills when interviewing clients and interacting with coworkers, community partners, medical providers, and stakeholders.
• Ability to serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
• Ability to defuse a hostile situation.
• Willingness to work with hard-to-serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill, and chemically dependent individuals.
• Ability to use automated software applications.

Who should apply?

Professionals Who Have One Of The Following

• A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and 2 years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience

OR

• Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum

OR

• 12 months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1

Equivalent education/experience.

Additional Information

• Additional professional experience described above will substitute year for year for the required education
• A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
• Employees must successfully complete the formal training course within one year of their appointment.
• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Interested?

Along With Your Application, Please Include

An updated resume

Three professional references with contact information

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Morgan Daggi at [e-mail] and reference job number 08837.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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