Dual Language FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Yakima

Full Job Description

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

To be eligible for this position, you must pass a DCYF Spanish language certification test within your first 6 months of employment. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language, based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test.

Job Title: Dual Language FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3)

Location: Yakima, WA

Closes: 3/10/26Salary: $5398- $7622 Monthly. 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.

We're looking for a Family Voluntary Services (FVS) Social Service Specialist to join our amazing Yakima team.

Our office environment excels at team support, including cross-program communication and assistance, and collaborative supervision.

Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will perform assessments, deliver services, and conduct permanency planning for immediate family, extended family, kin, and children. You'll not only assess and plan, but you'll take additional action when needed to meet the needs of child safety, permanency, and well-being. In performing all assigned duties, the incumbent in this position is expected to adhere to the tenets of the Solution-Based Casework (SBC) model with a focus on understanding and respecting the strengths of clients, including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles. All duties are performed with culturally informed competency, awareness, and an outward demonstration of skills that recognize, understand, and incorporate the family culture through case intervention and planning.

Some of what you'll do:

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Interview children, family members, caregivers, and collateral sources to gather information necessary to assess child safety and determine the service needs of the family.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family throughout the life of the case and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s) with a focus and priority on child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

Salary Ranges:

The goal class of this position is a Social Service Specialist 3. We will also consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with a training plan to advance to the goal class.

The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

• Social Service Specialist 2: Range 57 ($5398 – $7254)
• Social Service Specialist 3: Range 59 ($5666 - $7622)

What we are looking for at each level:

The ability to read, write, and speak both English and Spanish fluently for providing interpretation and translation to clients is required for this position.

Employee must be certified, proficient, and be able to provide certification to perform duty. Certification must be obtained within 6 months of appointment. Social Service Specialist 2:

• Five (5) 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 which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience.

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 completed practicum.

OR

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

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.
• The ability to take action 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Prior public child welfare experience.
  
• Case management experience.
• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of child development, applicable Federal and State laws, and community resources.
  
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

Worker Core Training (WCT):

As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT).

This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to perform core job functions, including assessing risk and safety, supporting child well-being, gathering information, and conducting case and permanency planning.

During the training, you will have opportunities to practice these skills through classroom activities, simulation exercises, and debriefs.

Upon hire, you will be assigned to the nearest available training cohort. The training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8).

For those eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs.

The WCT curriculum is designed to prepare Social Service Specialists for the responsibilities of the role, including:

• Understanding the child welfare system
• Familiarity with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) related to child welfare
• Policies, procedures, and best practices
• Assessing child safety through environmental observation, interviews with children and caregivers, and collateral contacts
• Collecting records and collaborating with community partners, including medical providers, law enforcement, and chemical dependency services
• Completing assessments and documenting case notes
• Writing dependency petitions and court reports
• Preparing for and testifying in court

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.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies

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 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 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service.

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.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please 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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