Permanency/Adoptions Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Seattle/Rainier Valley

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

Job summary

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks a Permanency/Adoptions Social Service Specialist 3 to manage a caseload of legally free youth, guiding them toward permanency through adoption, guardianship, or APPLA. You will assess safety, coordinate with families, and partner with private agencies and NWAE across Region 4.

Based in Seattle (Rainier Valley), this full-time role requires field and office work with some remote flexibility.

Qualifications

• Six years of paid social service experience with 30 credits in social services.
• Education alternatives include a relevant bachelor's degree with 30 credits and two years of experience.
• Master's degree with 30 credits and one year of experience may apply.
• Commitment to learning and meeting others' needs.
• Experience includes risk assessment and family-centered practice.

Responsibilities

• Finalize permanency for youth through adoption, guardianship, or APPLA.
• Provide ongoing case management, permanency planning, and crisis intervention.
• Assess risk and safety and coordinate placement and supports.
• Prepare youth for permanent placement and counsel families.
• Document case activity and maintain records in FamLink.
• Collaborate with attorneys, advocates, and agencies for permanency.
• Conduct health and safety visits and arrange sibling visits.

Skills

Case management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree with 30 credits in Social Service

Master's degree in social services, behavioral sciences, or related field with 30 credits in Social Service

Two years of paid social service experience with 30/45 credits

One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2

Tools

FamLink

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

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

Job Title

Permanency/Adoptions Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).

Location

Seattle/Rainer Valley, WA. - Region 4. This permanent full-time position is in the Adoptions Unit, in Rainer Valley, MLK Jr. Office. This position requires time in the field and in the office, as well as flexibility for some remote work. Transportation of children/youth is a part of this job. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, with clients as required by cases, and to attend training and meetings.

Closes

11/08/2026

Salary

$69,348 - $93,288 Annually. The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) to provide case management services to clients and families in the Region 4 Permanency/Adoption Unit at the Rainier Valley, MLK Jr. Office. The Region 4 Permanency team is a seasoned, tight-knit team that provides a positive atmosphere. We finalize adoptions for youth who are legally free and recruit forever homes for youth who need one. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively and partner effectively with co-workers, supervisors, administration, families, relatives, and community partners to assess child safety and support children and families. We are seeking someone interested in working with youth, mostly adolescents with complex needs and who often need BRS-level placement. If you are passionate about permanency for children and have child welfare experience, apply today!

The Opportunity

In this role, you will be assigned a caseload of legally free youth and responsible for assisting youth in achieving permanency and exiting foster care by adoption, guardianship, EFC, or APPLA. This role ensures youth's health and education needs are met, identifies and removes barriers to permanency, provides recruitment for those who are not in permanent homes, and facilitates the finalization of permanent plans. This role is responsible for having expert knowledge of permanency plans, policy, and law as well as best practices for permanency planning, to provide expert consultation and collaborative support to field offices for legally free youth in care within Region 4. This position provides day‑to‑day case management services to legally free children that span a vast geographical area in Western Washington. This position advocates and seeks permanency for legally free children by working with various private child placing/adoption agencies, as well as Northwest Adoption Exchange (NWAE), to find permanent homes for children in the child welfare system.

Some of what you will get to do

• Ensure timely permanency outcomes for all children on their caseload with an emphasis on adoptions.
• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and mandates.
• Provide ongoing case management, service, permanency planning, and crisis intervention.
• Assess risk and safety; assess resource needs of the child, and provide placement, stabilization, and permanency supports.
• Help prepare and counsel children regarding permanent placement and adoption, and other potential permanent plans.
• Monitor the current placement and build a relationship with the child by conducting monthly health and safety visits.
• Utilize FamLink to document case activity and update case records.
• Consult with attorneys and court‑appointed advocates, prepare court reports, and present testimony at court hearings.
• Conduct Child/family health and safety visits.
• Arrange/accommodate sibling visits when needed.
• Meet documentation and payment initiation requirements for accurate and timely entries into Famlink.
• Provide highly skilled assessments of adoptive applications.

Required Qualifications

Social Service Specialist 3

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*.

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow and 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

• Completed a Master's Degree in Social Work and have case management experience working with children.
• Previous experience in Child Welfare, such as: CPS, FAR, FRS, FVS, CFWS, Permanency/Adoptions.
• Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the local community and resources.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.
• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

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.

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

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB)

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

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 (855) 524‑5627 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) at360-664-1960.

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, 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,

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.

2026-08904