Extended Foster Care Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) - Region 4/Seattle

Full Job Description

Job Title: Extended Foster Care Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 In-Training (SSS2).
Location: Seattle, WA – Region 4. (Region Map). This position requires time in the field and the office. The designated office is flexible and will be determined based on need and/or the location that is nearest to you. Office locations are in West Seattle, Queen Anne, South Seattle, Kent, and Bellevue. Travel is a requirement of this position. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, and the incumbent may be required to travel with clients as cases require, as well as travel to attend training and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 02/08/2026
Salary: $5,398 - $7,622. King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Region 4, is seeking a Social Service Specialist to perform an advanced level of specialized case management in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) program. We are seeking a Social Service Specialist 3 or Social Service Specialist 2 at the in-training level. If you are passionate about supporting adolescent and young adult transition planning goals, apply today and join our supportive EFC team.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
In this role, you will be assigned to a caseload of youth, ranging in age from 18 to 21, who have voluntarily entered the EFC program. This role is responsible for assisting youth transitioning to adulthood to develop skills of emerging adult independence, ensuring youth health and education are met, and planning for permanent living arrangements for youth. This role is responsible for having expert knowledge of the EFC program, policy, and law, as well as best practices for transition planning for adolescents, to provide expert consultation and collaborative support to field offices for adolescents in care within Region 4.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Act as the EFC and adolescent transition planning liaison for the local office and region.
• Provide highly skilled casework to youth participating in the EFC program.
• Meet timeframes for intake referrals, multi-disciplinary staffings, transition plans for youth exiting care, health and safety visits, sibling visits, Child Health and Safety Tracking (CHET) screens, permanency planning, financial planning requests, court reports, and ICPC requests.
• Assess youth progress in the program and identify barriers to independent living.
• Provide guidance and service referrals designed to help overcome specific barriers.
• Determine housing resources, complete life skills assessments, and develop plans for services that prepare youth for successful adulthood.
• Identify and develop community support and resources.
• Provide referrals for assessments and resources that respond to the youth's identity, cultural, and emotional needs.
• Provide EFC program and transition planning information to other social service specialists, community partners, youth and families, and the court.
• Meet documentation and payment initiation requirements for accurate and timely entries into FamLink.
• Address safety risk concerns through cultural competency and strength-based communication.
• Develop and update the EFC case plan with the youth that assists in developing skill-based individual objectives.
• Document progress made by youth towards meeting the identified objectives/goals of the case plan.
• Prepare written and informed reports to the court addressing the youth's compliance with the EFC agreement and program.
• Attend and testify in court.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Social Service Specialist 2:

• Five years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter college credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

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

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences OR Master’s degree which included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND a completed practicum.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1).

Social Service Specialist 3:

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

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Bachelor's degree that included 30 semester or 45 quarter college 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 Master's degree that included 30 semester or 45 quarter college 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 (SSS2).

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 (1) year 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:

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work.
• Case management experience with mandatory clients.
• Previous case management experience working with children, youth, parents, caregivers, and families.
• One year of 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.
• Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.
• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

How do I apply?

In addition to completing the online application, attach the following documents:

• College Transcripts - (An unofficial copy is acceptable for applying.)
• Cover Letter
• Current Resume

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.

Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.

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

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.

2026-00841