INTERNAL ONLY Licensing Division - Foster Care Licensor (SSS3) - Kent

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."

Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.**

Job Title: INTERNAL ONLY - Licensing Division/Foster Care Licensor - Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).

Location: Kent, WA - This full-time, non-permanent position requires time in the field and the office. Travel is a requirement of this position. This position will travel to attend trainings and meetings as required.

Closes: 03/29/2026

Salary: $5,666 - $7,622 Monthly. 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 is seeking a dynamic and motivated professional to join our hardworking Licensing Division team in Kent as a Foster Care Licensor - Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3). If you have child welfare or licensing experience, apply today and join our dynamic Foster Care Licensing Division.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

As a Licensing Division Social Services Specialist (SSS3), you will complete new foster home licenses, home studies, foster license renewals, foster license amendments due to moves, facility investigations, and Health & Safety visits in licensed foster homes. This position requires the incumbent to align practice with the guiding principles of the racial equity and social justice framework and is responsible for meeting all casework management directives as required by law, policy, and other mandates.

Some of what you'll do:

• Performs assessments through intensive interviews and an information-gathering process to complete Family Home studies for foster home licensure.
• Receives and reviews renewal packets for completion.
• Assesses certified respite providers.
• Reviews the family’s history of intakes and licensing complaints.
• Completes comprehensive interviews with providers, family members, and household members, interviewing verbal children, observing caregiver/child interaction when children are non-verbal.
• Performs in-person/on-site physical inspections of all areas of the home, outbuildings, and surrounding premises.
• Assesses for compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (R.C.W.) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• Provides consultation to the applicants, refers to services or training, and provides support throughout the licensing and renewal process.
• Completes a clear and accurate written assessment of evaluations.
• Provides technical assistance and interpretation of policy and statute governing licensing functions, and assists foster parents during the licensing process and renewal of their foster care license.
• Makes timely notification of foster home licensure, re-licensure, and/or moves to other staff, including Placement Coordinators, Targeted Recruitment Specialists, contracted providers, and other administrations, as appropriate.
• Provides testimony and declarations at administrative hearings and other court proceedings related to licensing actions.
• Monitors the status of the license and communicates requirements for renewals to foster parents. Communicates license status to case workers with children placed before expiration.
• Monitors required trainings, sends notifications when trainings have expired, and communicates training opportunities to foster parents.
• Processes amendments and modifications to a license.
• Maintains license compliance.
• Represents the Department in licensing actions.
• Conducts interviews of children and adults during licensing investigations.
• Completes required health and safety monitoring visits.
• Completes required health and safety forms and documentation.
• Uses department databases to document licensure, renewal licensure activities, and maintain provider records.

Required Qualifications:

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*.
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*.
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.

• College Transcripts -If applicable. (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.

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.

2026-02245