CPS Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) - Parkland

Full Job Description

Job Title: CPS/FAR Lead Worker - Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).

Location: Parkland, WA – Region 5. The Parkland Office is located at the Tacoma Building. This position is full-time and permanent, requiring time in the field and the office. Some remote work is permitted based on office need and with approval.

Closes: 03/04/2026

Salary: $6,107 - $8,210.

Assignment Pay: This position will also receive 10% assignment pay, 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.

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to provide mentoring and guidance to Social Service Specialists in our Parkland Office, which is located on the second floor of the Tacoma Building.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience, knowledge in CPS (Child Protective Services), and is eager to utilize that experience in a supportive mentoring role.

This position is an opportunity to continue developing leadership skills while helping staff build confidence, grow professionally, and deliver high-quality services to children and families.

Our Parkland Office is deeply committed to child safety and applying DCYF values in our daily work. We foster a collaborative and supportive team environment where learning and growth are encouraged.

If you have the necessary skills and are passionate about coaching others, strengthening practice, and making a positive impact on children and families, we encourage you to apply.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

This Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) position functions as a Lead Worker over Social Service Specialists (SSS1-SSS3) who provide professional-level social services to clients involved with (CPS) Child Protective Services Investigations and (FAR) Family Assessment Response.

This position provides advanced specialized case management, coaching, mentoring, on-the-job training, and assistance in transitioning staff from a formal training program to fieldwork.

This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, maintains procedures to ensure efficient workflow, and acts as the unit supervisor (SSS5) in their absence.

Some of what you'll get to do:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service 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).

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

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

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

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

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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. 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 position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

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.

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 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.