Foster Care Lead (SSS4) Multiple Locations | INTERNAL ONLY

Full Job Description

INTERNAL ONLY

The expected duration of this non-permanent appointment is date of hire through February 28th, 2027.

Job Title: Foster Care Lead (SSS4) non-permanent

Location: Three positions available-

• Spokane/Yakima, WA (Region 1&2)

• Seattle/Everett, WA (Region 3&4) The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.

• Tacoma/Tumwater (Region 5&6)

Closes: February 12th, 2026

Salary: $6107 - $8210 Monthly.

This position will provide coaching, mentoring, on the job training and assistance in the transition of staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. The incumbent assigns work in coordination with their supervisor, conducts case reviews, conducts on-the-job training, establishes and maintains procedures for efficient workflow, acts as unit supervisor in absence of the supervisor, including attendance at meetings, facilitation of meetings, case staffing and decision making.

This position provides an advanced level of specialized, culturally relevant and strength-based case management. The incumbent uses cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with staff, clients and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.

The incumbent uses their education, experience and training to support staff in ensuring children in the care and custody of the department maintain cultural and community connections by evaluating general/community care foster parents throughout the life of the case.

This position carries a number of cases as determined by the supervisor and is responsible for meeting all casework management directives as required by law, policy and other mandates. This position may be assigned to a small office or within a unit that includes more than one program area.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provides on the job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching and consultation to the staff within the Licensing Division Foster Care program.
• Provides informal training regarding licensing and relicensing functions and facility complaint investigations for staff, other divisions, programs and the community as appropriate. Provides training and assistance to other staff as requested by supervisor.
• Performs and provides social services professional staff with guidance and direction.
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assigns work, reviews work for efficiency, uses data to identify trends, and reviews home study assessments and documentation for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Reports on strengths and areas needing improvement of employees to their direct supervisor, provide feedback for annual performance evaluations, and identify training needs.
• Provides coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a Social Service Specialist.
• Attends meetings and provide supervisory coverage, in the supervisor’s absence.
• May be granted delegated authority by the supervisor to approve monetary requests, expenditures, and court documents prepared for court.
• Performs in-person home assessments through intensive interview and information gathering process to complete Family Home Studies for placement of general foster children and/or adoptive placement.
• Provides consultation to the applicants, refers to services or training and provides support throughout the home study and/or licensing process.
• Produces written home studies that accurately and clearly describe the potential caregivers’ family history and documents a discussion of their strengths and limitations in the recommendation of approval/denial of the home study using clinical skills.
• Serves on workgroups as a representative of LD Foster Care.
• Facilitates program and process improvement workgroups within LD Foster Care.

What we're looking for (Required Qualifications):

• Seven (7) years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
  

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

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 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.

• 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 three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel) and data input (keyboarding) skills.
• Program experience of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to assessing applicants to provide care to children in the care and custody of the department, including licensing kinship and community foster family homes.
• Program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
• Work independently to complete investigations/assessments in the homes and residences of individuals.
• Communicate through oral and written forms of communication, and comprehend, with diverse populations, management, peers, clients, community, colleagues and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes)
• Resume
• 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.

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 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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.