After Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Lakewood

Full Job Description

Please note: This position will work Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am- 7:30 pm. Monday and Tuesday from 5:00 pm - 3:30 am. (OFF: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).

Job Title: Afterhours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3).
Location: Lakewood, WA - Region 5. Region Map. This full-time, permanent position is in the Afterhours unit, Lakewood Office. The Afterhours Specialists serve children and families throughout Region 5. This position requires time in the field and office. Travel is required in Pierce and Kitsap Counties and at times across other regions. Transportation of children is part of this job.
Schedule: This position will work Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am- 7:30 pm. Monday and Tuesday from 5:00 pm - 3:30 am. (OFF: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday).
Salary: $5,398 - $7,622. This position may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.
Closing Date: 02/22/2026

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) in training to provide case management services to clients and families in the After-hours Unit, Region 5, Pierce and Kitsap Counties. We are seeking Social Service professionals with excellent child welfare assessment skills. Apply today and join our amazing after-hours team in Lakewood!




Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
In this role, you will be assigned Child Protective Services (CPS) initial intakes and assess for present danger in Region 5. As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 5 during non-business hours. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during the times DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists. Our after-hours team works when offices are closed in the evenings, on weekends, overnights, and holidays.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Responds to crisis situations of DCYF children who are placed in either foster care or relative care.
• Responds to after-hours emergent calls concerning maltreatment of children.
• Responsible for placement of child(ren) in emergent situations.
• Assesses risk and safety of child(ren), coordinating safe placement of children when determined appropriate.
• Interviews children, families, and collaterals such as law enforcement, probation/parole counselors, school, medical, and mental health professionals.
• Investigates and evaluates reports of child abuse and/or neglect in compliance with RCW, WAC, and DCYF policy.
• Provides ongoing risk assessment of the family and takes appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Make face-to-face contact on 24-hour and 72-hour intakes.
• Meets required timeframes and completes documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK database.
• Works collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
• Attends and testifies in court.
• Attends staff meetings and mandatory trainings.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
Social Service Specialist 2:
Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
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 a completed practicum.
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 discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
AND

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

Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
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 One (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
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 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
One (1) year of 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.

*For the SSS3 level: 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:

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
• Cover Letter
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

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 mission 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.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Incumbent must attend all mandatory DCYF training, including Social Service Specialists Academy Training Institute and CHET-specific training requirements, within twelve months of initial appointment.

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

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 visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service.

Please black out (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.

If you need 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 support@neogov.com.

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.

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