Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Tacoma

Full Job Description

Job Title: Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Tacoma, WA (This position includes a hybrid schedule which involves in-person office work, telework from home, field work, home visits, and attending meetings)
Closes: 3/31/26
Salary: $5666- $7622 Monthly


Join a strong and supportive team working together to help kids thrive in beautiful Pierce County. We have an amazing team of kinship licensors striving to make ourselves and the community we serve the best it can be. Please bring your passion and expertise to our diverse team and help us "make a difference" in the lives of children and the people who care for them. There is a unique array of variety in this Kinship Licensing social work position. We encourage you to apply if Kinship Licensing appeals to you!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
A Kinship Licensor produces written assessments that accurately and clearly describe the potential caregiver's family history and include a discussion of their strengths and limitations in the recommendation of approval/denial of the home study using clinical skills. Assessments include trauma-related history, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), parenting experience and skills, knowledge of available community resources, and a description of in-person/on-site inspection of the physical home environment. This position also assists caregivers in overcoming barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed.


Some of what you will get to do:

• Perform assessments through intensive interviews and information gathering processes to complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement, certification, and/or license based on compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
• Provide consultation to the applicants, refer to services or training, and provide support throughout the home study and/or licensing process.
• Produce written assessments that accurately and clearly describe the potential caregivers' family history.
• Assist caregivers in overcoming barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed.
• Perform in-person/on-site physical inspections of all areas of the home, outbuildings, and surrounding premises.
• Review completed background checks, collateral information, waivers, and disqualifications.
• Provide technical assistance and interpretation of policy and statute governing licensing functions, and assist caregivers in becoming licensed or certified.
• Make timely notification of kinship licensure to other staff, including Placement Coordinators, fiduciaries, tribal partners, contracted providers, and other administrations, as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the Child Welfare program, DCYF divisions, and other administrations to maintain communication to preserve safe and stable placements in the home during the home study process.

When working in the field, complete physical facility inspections, interview caregivers or potential applicants and household members.

Interview verbal children, observing caregiver/child interactions when children are non-verbal, and work with other professionals as needed to achieve the goal of safe and healthy home placements for children.

• Partner with other LD programs as they investigate allegations of CA/N or WAC violations and provide technical assistance/resources and support for foster parents.
• Provide testimony and declarations at administrative hearings and other court proceedings related to written home studies and licensing action.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
Social Service Specialist 3:

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

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter 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 degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter 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.

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 year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

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

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated solid working foundation and understanding of agency policies, WAC, and RCW related to licensing kinship homes.
• Demonstrated program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Ability to travel frequently within the position's region.
• Demonstrated skills in the use of MS Office (Word and Outlook) and Department databases.

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

• Cover Letter
• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Transcripts(Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is included in the 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.

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 black out (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.

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