Family Recovery Court Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) - Lakewood

Full Job Description

Job Title: Family Recovery Court Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).
Location: Lakewood, WA - Region 5 (Region Map). This full-time, permanent position requires time in the field and office. Full-time teleworking is not an option. 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 to travel to attend trainings and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 01/12/2025
Salary: $5,398 - $7,622. Assignment Pay: This position will receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. 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.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF), Family Recovery Court (FRC) unit has an opening for a Social Service Specialist 3 or Social Service Specialist 2 in-training to join us in our Lakewood Office. Our FRC team participates in team-building activities and believes in supporting each other, learning, and growing together as a unit. If you want to positively impact children and families, apply today and join our supportive family recovery court unit in Region 5, Pierce County.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

Family Recovery Court (FRC) is a specialized regional program within Child Family Welfare Services (CFWS) and partners with SUD treatment services to wrap around families with open dependencies.

The bonuses of this program are quick access to treatment services and familiar faces for our families in court. Court is in-person on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings.

The FRC Specialist focuses on evaluating family situations, interviewing, assessing risk, and developing plans that focus on protecting children.

In this role, you will work in a non-adversarial, therapeutic court setting, protecting children from indicated risk and harm while engaging in critical thinking and shared decision-making to ensure timely permanency outcomes for children, including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody plans.

The FRC Specialist may have a reduced caseload and may hold both FRC and CFWS cases.

Some of what you will do:

• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and mandates.
• Assess delivery of services and permanency planning that is inclusive of immediate family, extended family, kin, and children.
• Participate in shared meetings and activities with law enforcement to complete tasks.
• Work with families and caregivers to find the best possible outcome for child placement that will nurture the child’s cultural and family ties.
• Prepare and counsel children and families regarding the need for placement and separation, working through loss and trauma, and helping families reunite.
• Work with County Superior Court officers, tribes, attorneys, and court staff to prepare court hearings.
• Meet timeframes for safety visits, family visits, court reporting, and permanency plans.
• Engage with children and families in their homes, at community meetings, and in medical facilities.
• Develop service plans and goals for families regarding safety and support.
• Collaborate with community partners for local resources and family services.
• Refer clients for mental health, substance abuse, and psychiatric services.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through visitation and ensure continued safety and well-being.
• Develop and monitor individual service and voluntary service plans with families to address safety threats and risks.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents.
• Assess resource needs of children, birth parents, and caregivers and provide placement and placement stabilization supports.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Social Service Specialist 2:
Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
A Master's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that 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 a Bachelor’s degree that 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 (SSS1).
AND

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

Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that 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 year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).
AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. 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:

• Experience working with children and families in Child Welfare programs.
• Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge and familiarity with local community services and resources.
• Knowledge of child welfare laws and policies.
• Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.
• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

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.

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.

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.

2025-09223