ICW CPS Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Spokane North

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks an ICW CPS Social Service Specialist 4 to lead the Spokane North ICW Unit, focusing on child safety and staff development.

You will mentor staff, oversee case reviews, and ensure policy compliance while coordinating with court proceedings and providing supervision in absence of the unit supervisor.

Qualifications

• Seven years of paid social service experience, including at least one year assessing risk and safety to children.
• Graduate degrees with 30 semester credits in a Social Services discipline or two years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of paid social service experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, coaching to staff.
• Lead complex cases as Lead Specialist.
• Assign work, review for efficiency and policy compliance.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads.
• Report on staff strengths/weaknesses to supervisor.
• Facilitate meetings in the supervisor’s absence.

Skills

Mentoring

Staff training

Performance feedback

Case staffing

Lead specialist

Education

Master's degree in social services

Bachelor's degree in social services

Tools

Outlook

FAMLINK

Job description

Job Title: ICW CPS Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4)

Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane North Office)

Closes: 11/12/26

Salary: $74,748- $100,488 Annually

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.”

We are looking for a Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to take the role of lead worker at our Spokane North ICW (Indian Child Welfare) Unit. Our office is focused on child safety, staff retention, and creating a safe environment for our staff as they learn and develop their skills in child welfare practice.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will provide mentorship, on-the-job training, and assistance in the transition of staff from formal training to fieldwork. This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, and establishes procedures for efficient workflow. In the absence of the unit supervisor, this position will facilitate meetings and make decisions regarding case staffing.

Some of what you'll do

• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
• Conduct on-the-job training and assistance with staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork.
• Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Serve as Lead Specialist assigned to the most complex cases.
• Report on the strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
• Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony in court when necessary
• Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.

What we're looking for (Required Qualifications)

Seven years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

A 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 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. 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.

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 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.

AND

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

*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Prior public child welfare experience
• Previously demonstrated case management experience.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
• Previously demonstrated familiarity with the agency’s software programs, which include Outlook and FAMLINK.

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

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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.

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.

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