Home Finders Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5) - Spokane Central

State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and Families; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks a Home Finders Social Service Supervisor 5 in Spokane. The role directs a seven-person team in placement, respite, and rate assessments for children and young adults with a focus on safety, stability, and collaboration with foster parents and agencies.

You will supervise placement activities, ensure policy adherence, and coordinate transportation and maintenance payments while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Four (4) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).
• AND
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• NOTE: A two-year Master’s degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply child welfare practice, principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and placing children.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and excellent working relationships with foster parents regionally and statewide, placement agencies, other placement coordinators, and office staff.
• Assess needs of children, parents, caregivers, and social workers.
• Communicate placement and placement support stabilization supports to social workers and supervisors.
• Identify and develop placement support and resources.
• Assist in the communication and coordination with other Statewide Regional Placement Leads/Coordinators.
• Apply child welfare practice principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned referrals or cases to protect children, plan for permanent living arrangements for children, and assure children’s health and education needs are met.
• Review and approve the amount of foster care maintenance payment to be paid monthly to licensed foster parents for children placed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families into their foster home.
• Review and approve the onboarding of all-volunteer drivers and their reimbursement requests for transporting dependent youth to needed therapies/visits.
• Address personnel or performance issues and initiate corrective or disciplinary action as needed.
• Utilize DCYF computer programs and telephone equipment to support completion of supervisory duties.

Skills

leadership

communication

problem solving

team management

Education

Master’s degree in social services or related field with 30/45 credits in Social Services

Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field with 30/45 credits in Social Services

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: Home Finders Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5)

Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane Central Office). Hybrid - The regional team is supervised out of the Spokane Central Office and teleworks three days a week (T, W, Th).

Closes: 9/1/26

Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually

The Opportunity:

As the regional expert concerning the placement/respite of children and young adults, regional rate assessments, and the volunteer driver program, this position will supervise an outcome-driven team of seven employees.

• Apply child welfare practice, principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and placing children.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and excellent working relationships with foster parents regionally and statewide, placement agencies, other placement coordinators, and office staff.
• Assess needs of children, parents, caregivers, and social workers.
• Communicate placement and placement support stabilization supports to social workers and supervisors.
• Identify and develop placement support and resources.
• Assist in the communication and coordination with other Statewide Regional Placement Leads/Coordinators.
• Apply child welfare practice principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned referrals or cases to protect children, plan for permanent living arrangements for children, and assure children's health and education needs are met.
• Review and approve the amount of foster care maintenance payment to be paid monthly to licensed foster parents for children placed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families into their foster home.
• Review and approve the onboarding of all-volunteer drivers and their reimbursement requests for transporting dependent youth to needed therapies/visits.
• Address personnel or performance issues and initiate corrective or disciplinary action as needed.
• Utilize DCYF computer programs and telephone equipment to support completion of supervisory duties.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Apply child welfare practice, principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and placing children.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and excellent working relationships with foster parents regionally and statewide, placement agencies, other placement coordinators, and office staff.
• Assess needs of children, parents, caregivers, and social workers.
• Communicate placement and placement support stabilization supports to social workers and supervisors.
• Identify and develop placement support and resources.
• Assist in the communication and coordination with other Statewide Regional Placement Leads/Coordinators.
• Apply child welfare practice principles, law, rule, and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned referrals or cases to protect children, plan for permanent living arrangements for children, and assure children's health and education needs are met.
• Review and approve the amount of foster care maintenance payment to be paid monthly to licensed foster parents for children placed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families into their foster home.
• Review and approve the onboarding of all-volunteer drivers and their reimbursement requests for transporting dependent youth to needed therapies/visits.
• Address personnel or performance issues and initiate corrective or disciplinary action as needed.
• Utilize DCYF computer programs and telephone equipment to support completion of supervisory duties.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Four (4) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).

Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).

AND

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

NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.

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

• Previously demonstrated skills in engagement and relationship building.
• Previously demonstrated ability to be able to effectively, clearly, and concisely communicate verbally and in writing.
• Previously demonstrated interest or experience in early learning and/or family support programs in Washington State.
• Previously demonstrated skills in coaching peers.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of State and Federal policies and regulations related to social, financial, and health programs.
• Previously demonstrated ability to develop and evaluate programs and resolve complex problems related to social, financial, or health programs.

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.

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.

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

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their 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.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach 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, 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.

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.