Group Care Licensor (SSS3) - Spokane

State of Washington; Washington; Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s DCYF is hiring a Group Care Licensor (SSS3) in Spokane, WA. The role supports licensed group care facilities across multiple programs, using a racial equity framework to ensure safety and well‑being for children in out‑of‑home care.

The position offers hybrid work with required in‑person meetings at 316 W. Boone Ave., and includes mandatory WCT training. Salary ranges from 69,348 to 93,288 USD per year, with comprehensive state benefits.

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.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, human services, behavioral sciences, or related field with required credits in Social Services discipline.
• Master’s degree in Social Services or related field with required credits in Social Services discipline.
• One year experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

Responsibilities

• Approve or deny applications to license or relicense group care facilities.
• Perform specialized reviews of child health and safety, assess risk and compliance.
• Maintain communication with Group Care Supervisor and attend required meetings.
• Conduct program evaluations of provider policies, staff qualifications, personnel records, and child records.

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.”

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

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 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 disciplineAND 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 ANDone (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.

The WCT curriculum is designed to prepare Social Service Specialists for the responsibilities of the role, including:

• 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/

If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, 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 MUSTattach 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, the 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 Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

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.