Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) Seattle

Full Job Description

Job Title: Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Seattle, WA - Full-time/Hybrid - This position requires frequent travel within the region.
Closes: Monday, January 12th, 2026
Salary: $67,992 - $91,464 Annually - King County Premium: The salary listed does not include an additional 5% premium granted to King County employees. This

This position works within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Licensing Division, specifically Kinship Care Licensing (KCL). This position utilizes kin-first culture to support families in ensuring children in the care and custody of the Department and maintain cultural and community connections by evaluating kinship and community foster care caregivers throughout the life of the case. This position requires the incumbent to align practice with the guiding principles of the racial equity and social justice framework

The Opportunity:
The Social Service Specialist is responsible for meeting all casework management directives as required by law. A Kinship Licensor produces written assessments that accurately and clearly describes 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. Assists caregivers to overcome barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed.

This position includes a hybrid telework schedule which involves telework from home, duty station office work, field work, home visits, attending unit and all staff meetings, and shared planning meetings with our Child Welfare partners. 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!

Some of what you will get to do:

• Perform assessments through intensive interview and information gathering process to complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement, and/or adoptive placement and/or community foster home licensing 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 and include a discussion of their strengths and limitations in the recommendation of approval/denial of the home study using clinical skills.
• Assist caregivers to overcome 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 foster home licensure to other staff, including Placement Coordinators, Targeted Recruitment Specialists, 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.

Required Qualifications:

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

OR

• One (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 2.

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

• 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 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.

AND

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

Note(s):
*Paid social service experience* must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

*Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all 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 foster 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?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Resume (current/updated) 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.

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 in a 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 (2) years driving experience and a valid driver's license.

Incumbent must complete Social Service Specialist Training Academy Institute, as well as specialized licensing track training within one (1) year of initial appointment.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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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