Group Care Licensor (SSS3) - Spokane

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Licensing Division in Spokane seeks a Group Care Licensor (SSS3) to serve as the main liaison for licensed group care providers, conducting advanced risk and safety assessments and ensuring compliance with RCWs and WACs.

This hybrid role requires culturally competent, solution-focused case management and collaboration with providers, youth, and stakeholders to sustain high-quality out-of-home care.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience in public child welfare or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with 30 credits in Social Services and 2 years paid experience.
• Master’s degree with 30 credits in Social Services and 1 year paid experience.
• Demonstrated ability to assess risk and safety for children and provide family-centered services.

Responsibilities

• Approve or deny applications to license or relicense group care facilities.
• Conduct program evaluations and assess provider compliance and safety.
• Maintain communication with Supervisors and attend required meetings.
• Document activities and maintain provider records using FamLink and MS Word.

Skills

Social service experience

Risk assessment

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or related field

Master’s degree in Social Services or related field

Tools

MS Word

FamLink

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

Job Title: Group Care Licensor (SSS3)

Location: Spokane WA - This position is flexible/hybrid and can be done remotely; however, you will need to be in person at 316 W. Boone Ave., Ste. 500, Spokane, WA 99201 for weekly/monthly in-person meetings, IT or equipment support, or training.

Closes: Tuesday, November 10th. 2026

Salary: $69,348 - $93,288 Annually

The Spokane Group Care Licensing Team has an open position within our amazing unit. Our team thrives on collaboration and strong partnerships with licensed providers, youth, and community stakeholders across a variety of high-quality out-of-home group care settings. We are based in the Spokane Central DCYF office and serve Region 1 providers, with most located in Spokane County. Our team is energetic, supportive, and committed to building positive relationships with providers and youth. If you are interested in joining a team that values connection, problem-solving, and high-quality service to youth and families, we encourage you to apply.

The Opportunity

This Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) position works within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Licensing Division (LD) and serves as a main point of contact for licensed group care providers. The role requires advanced, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management with minimal supervision. The Group Care Licensor supports a wide range of licensed programs, including staffed residential homes, group homes, overnight youth shelters, group receiving centers, crisis residential centers, maternity services, resource and assessment centers, and emergency respite centers. This position utilizes the racial equity and social justice framework to collaboratively develop, direct, and monitor high-profile social service programs serving vulnerable children in out-of-home care. The Licensor ensures consistent application of RCWs, WACs, and agency policies while honoring and respecting the strengths, cultural identities, and communication styles of families and providers.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Approve or deny applications to license or relicense group care facilities.
• Perform specialized reviews of all elements related to child health and safety, to assess potential risk and compliance.
• Maintain communication with Group Care Supervisor, attend monthly 1:1 staffing and all required unit meetings.
• Conduct program evaluations to identify provider strengths and challenges. Program evaluation includes, but is not limited to, initial and on-going assessment of:
  • Program policies and procedures.
  • Staff qualifications and references.
  • Personnel records.
  • Child records and service/treatment plans.
  • Results of Group Care facility background checks including criminal history and child abuse registry.
  • Suitability for placement.
  • Physical facility and grounds.
  • Compliance with all other minimum licensing requirements.
• Provide direction to providers in assessing and improving the health and safety of children in out-of-home care, interpreting Washington policy and statute governing licensing functions and correcting deficiencies in order to maintain licensure.
• Provide direction in the development and monitoring of facility policies and procedures.
• Explain department policies and provisions of the law to facility providers, families, individuals, and members of the community.
• Process complaints and coordinates investigations with group care facility staff, of licensing violations. Assess risk to health and safety of children and compliance to licensing regulations and determine findings involving the investigation.
• Evaluate complaint information and determine degree of risk and need for emergent response.
• Issue compliance agreements and monitor programs for compliance.
• Utilize FamLink to document activities and maintain provider records within program and manual standards, accountability requirements and agency’s documentation practice.
• Maintain documentation of services offered using Microsoft Word (forms and letters).

Required Qualifications

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, human services, behavioral sciences, OR Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND two (2) years of paid Social Service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

OR

• 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 one (1) year of paid Social Service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

OR

• One (1) year 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.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Work cooperatively with diverse populations.
• Understand agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed facilities.
• Effectively, clearly, and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Use MS Office and FAMLINK database.

Worker Core Training (WCT)

As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT). This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to perform core job functions, including assessing risk and safety, supporting child well-being, gathering information, and conducting case and permanency planning. During the training, you will have opportunities to practice these skills through classroom activities, simulation exercises, and debriefs. Upon hire, you will be assigned to the nearest available training cohort. The training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8). For those eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs.

• Understanding the child welfare system
• Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to child welfare
• Policies, procedures, and best practices
• Assessing child safety through environmental observation, interviews with children and caregivers, and collateral contacts
• Collecting records and collaborating with community partners, including medical providers, law enforcement, and chemical dependency services
• Completing assessments and documenting case notes
• Writing dependency petitions and court reports
• Preparing for and testifying in court

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. 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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.

Must hold a valid driver’s license when operating a state or privately-owned vehicle while on official state business.

Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial 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.

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

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.

More than Just a Paycheck!

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.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance 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.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

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 of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems