INTERNAL ONLY Relative Search Specialist | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Olympia

Full Job Description

Job Title: Relative Search Specialist | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Olympia, WA - This position is Full-Time/Flexible/Hybrid. Occasional travel may be necessary for meetings and trainings.
Closes: Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Salary: $5,812 - $7,622 Monthly

We're looking for a Relative Search Specialist (SSS3) to join our team to provide additional services to families, working toward the common goal of eliminating child and youth outcome disparities based on race and ethnicity.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
Our Relative Search Unit is looking for a motivated individual who is passionate about supporting the safety and wellbeing of children and families. This position primarily focuses on the placement of children who are in DCYF care, with their relatives. Placing with children's kin increases safety, permanency, and wellbeing for children in care. Federal law requires DCYF to exercise due diligence in identifying and notifying adult relatives within 30 days after a child’s removal from the custody of their parent or guardian. The notice must include options for the relative to participate in the care and placement of the child.

If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them the support they desperately need, ensuring they are being provided the comfort that their best interests are at heart, our Social Service Specialist 3 may be your next career.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Perform extensive and thorough searches to identify relatives as defined by RCW 74.15.020.
• Notify all identified relatives in writing via USPS, putting forth best efforts to ensure communication is sent in the relative’s first language.

Communicate with relatives who respond to the letter and questionnaire.

Providing a brief explanation of Public Law 110-351 requiring notification to all adult relatives when a child is placed in out-of-home care within 30 days of placement, a general statement regarding the child's need of protection resulting in placement into State care, an overview of the dependency process, and the interstate Compact on Placement of Children (ICPC) process to out-of-state relatives.

• Consult with the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) on specific cases as needed.
• Expedite high profile, Administrative Incident Reporting System (AIRS) or legally free cases per request.
• Provide coaching and education to field staff regarding federal requirements and WA State policies related to Relative Search.
• Bridge responding relatives to the assigned caseworker and supervisor to promote contact being made to ensure familial connections are maintained.
• Respond to difficult, stressful, and/or sensitive communication with relatives and parents in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains the dignity of all among internal and external stakeholders.
• Meet all deadlines for both daily and special assignments.
• Collaborate with Relative Engagement Unit and regionally identified liaisons on identified cases requiring higher-level support.

Required Qualifications:

• One year as a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in social services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and two (2) years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A Master's degree in social services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and one (1) year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years.

AND

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

NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Working knowledge of and experience in implementation of DCYF Policy 4251, Public Law 110-351, Fostering Connections to Success, and RCW 74.15.020.
• Previous demonstrated knowledge of social services practice and WA State dependency process.
• Previous demonstrated experience with FamLink, ACES, Barcode and other search databases.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume (current/updated)

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.

This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

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.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at veronica.jones@dcyf.wa.gov. 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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