DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2
State of Washington
Turn this role into an interview — a resume and cover letter built around what this employer wants.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The State of Washington’s DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2 in Spokane provides client-centered support to help individuals and families achieve stability and self-sufficiency. You will assess needs, develop care plans, and deliver ongoing case management across WorkFirst and ABD programs.
You’ll coordinate with medical providers, SSI facilitators, and community partners, assisting with documentation and referrals. Travel to alternate sites is expected.
Qualifications
- Formal training or degree in social services with relevant state credentials.
- Experience in evaluating risk, safety, and providing family-centered services.
- Ability to interpret policy and coordinate with multiple agencies.
Responsibilities
- Conduct assessments to determine functioning level, including education, history, housing and health status.
- Develop individualized care plans with concrete action steps and provider recommendations.
- Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation.
- Collaborate with WorkFirst teams, medical providers, and community partners.
- Screen and refer customers for medical/psychiatric tests and refer to specialists.
- Carry a caseload with detailed documentation and regular progress reviews.
- Explain department policies and legal provisions to clients and the public.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Join our team as a Social Service Specialist 2 with the Economic Services Administration’s (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) at the Spokane Maple Community Service Office, where you will provide vital, client-centred support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency.
In this role, you will support participants in both the WorkFirst and Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) programs by conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized plans, and delivering ongoing case management. You’ll work with clients facing a wide range of vocational, medical, psychological, and social challenges, helping them navigate services, access resources, and move toward greater independence.
You will also assist individuals in gathering and coordinating documentation for federal disability benefits, collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely support. This position involves both office-based work and occasional travel for home or alternate-site visits, allowing you to meet clients where they are and provide equitable, meaningful service.
- Conduct assessments to determine a person’s level of functioning including evaluating education, social history, living situation, employment history, as well as physical and behavioral health status.
- Develop individualized care plans to provide specific action steps from assessment findings and provider recommendations.
- Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation.
- Work collaboratively with the WorkFirst/Social Service Specialist teams, medical providers, SSI Facilitation team, other agencies and community partners.
- Screen, and refer customers for medical, psychiatric, and other tests.
- Authorize referrals to medical specialists and create payment reimbursements.
- Review and interpret objective medical information to determine customers' diagnosis, prognosis, and physical ability to perform past work; relate findings to program eligibility.
- Make timely claim determinations, utilizing appropriate databases for information gathering.
- Refer customers to other agencies such as mental health, substance abuse programs, domestic violence services, vocational rehabilitation, and monitor their progress in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, ensuring follow-up and coordination of services.
- Carry a caseload, maintain and update case records with detailed documentation; review cases regularly to assess customer’s progress and continuing program eligibility.
- Explain department policies and provisions of the law to individuals and members of the community.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 AND completion of the agency’s Social Service Specialist training program. OR
- A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience. A two-year master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. OR
- A bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1. OR
- An equivalent combination of education/experience of six or more years.
NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course within eighteen months of their appointment.
NOTE: Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and/or adults and providing direct family-centered practice services.
- Cultural competence: Understand and integrate diverse cultures and family dynamics into interventions.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.
- Ability to work with hard to serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals.
- Excellent written, verbal, and documentation skills; effective in interviewing and collaborating with customers and professionals.
- Ability to interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
- An ability to efficiently handle large caseloads, develop casework plans, and refer customers to internal/external resources.
- Ability to defuse difficult and potentially hostile situations, make independent and critical decisions in high-volume and high-stress situations, support customers with emotional needs, and serve vulnerable population with respect, compassion, empathy, and confidentiality.
- Ability to read and interpret the Washington Administrative Code and procedural manuals to assist in the determination of eligibility.
- Ability to learn and utilize various automated programs and software applications.
- Willingness to work with each customer to achieve the highest level of functioning and independence.
- Knowledge of medical terminology and how to interpret medical information for incapacity determination.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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 a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave, and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
