Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4)

WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

WA Department of Children, Youth, and Families in Spokane, WA seeks a Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) to lead consistency of practice in child welfare investigations and interventions. The role involves mentoring staff, training casework, and providing performance feedback to Supervisors and Area Administrators.

The position requires travel within Region 1 and occasional statewide travel, with a hybrid in-person/telework setup.

Qualifications

• Equivalent education and experience totaling nine years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
• Two years of experience as Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent, or one year as SHPC3 or equivalent with additional qualifications, or a BA with five years of related experience; and

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate, monitor, teach, observe, and mentor field operations staff.
• Provide consultation services to new and experienced Social Service Specialists to improve service delivery and safety outcomes.
• Consult with, direct, and support Social Service Specialist staff managing high-risk/complex cases.
• Conduct periodic observations to ensure consistency of practice expectations.
• Review region and office goals to identify needs and drive improvements in practice and child safety.
• Review cases for compliance with state/federal requirements and implement training plans.
• Liaise with community partners.

Skills

Learn and grow

Meet others' needs

Risk assessment

Safety assessment

Child development knowledge

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's in social work or related field

Master's degree in social work/related field

Tools

FamLink

Job description

Job Title: Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4)

Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane Central Office) Hybrid - work will include a mixture of in-person, telework, and field work. This position will require frequent travel to offices within Region 1 as well as occasional travel outside of the region for statewide meetings. The selected candidate can choose a workstation from any DCYF Region 1 office. For a detailed view of DCYF's regional boundaries, Click Here.

Closes: 8/20/26

Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually

The Opportunity:

The Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) position is a critical lead role designed to increase consistency of practice in child welfare cases to improve child safety outcomes and the overall quality of investigations, assessments, and interventions. In this role, you'll provide consultation services and mentoring to new and experienced staff. This position trains to the delivery of program-specialized casework in the investigation and assessment of child abuse and/or neglect, and provides performance-related feedback to Supervisors and Area Administrators,

Some of what you will get to do:

• Demonstrate, monitor, teach, observe, and mentor field operations staff.
• Provide consultation services to new and experienced Social Service Specialists to improve the quality-of-service delivery and safety outcomes to children and families in child welfare cases.
• Consult with, direct, and support Social Service Specialist staff who are managing high-risk/complex cases.
• Conduct periodic, or upon request, observation of Social Service Specialists to ensure consistency of standard of practice expectations.
• Review region, local office, and unit child welfare program goals, identify needs, and work on meeting set targets for improvement in practice and child safety.
• Review cases, analyze compliance with state and federal requirements, policies, and procedures, and implement formal and informal training and action plans to address deficiencies.
• Liaison with community partners.

Required Qualifications:

Equivalent education and experience totaling nine years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR

One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent,

OR

Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent,

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field; and five years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,

OR

A Master's degree or higher in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,

AND

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

Note:

Two years of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

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

• Strong working knowledge of Washington’s electronic child welfare records system, FamLink.
• Strong risk assessment and safety assessment skills.
• Working knowledge of developing effective safety plans that reduce future risk of child abuse or neglect and improve child safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of the connection between research, data, and practice.
• Working knowledge of child development, including early childhood brain development.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of Child Protective Services’ roles, responsibilities, and authority.
• Previously demonstrated working knowledge of DCYF programs and policies, Family Assessment Response, Child Protective Services Investigations, Family Voluntary Services, Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Reconciliation Services, Adoptions, Interstate Compact, etc.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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. For additional information on Veteran's 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.