Kinship Licensing Supervisor | Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5) Everett

Full Job Description

Job Title: Kinship Care Supervisor | Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5)
Location: Everett, WA | This position is full-time/flexible/hybrid - Office location is currently Everett Regional; It can be negotiated within lower Region 3 pending business needs and space availability.
Closes: February 9th, 2026
Salary: $6,576 - $8,842 Monthly

We are currently looking for a Kinship Licensing Supervisor (SSS5) to join our team and work together 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:The Kinship Licensing Supervisor is tasked with supervising a unit of Social Service Specialists 3's and one Social Service Specialist 4 who serve as licensors to kinship caregivers, providing professional-level home study assessments and licensing services.

If you are ready for a growth opportunity in the social services field and have a passion for protecting children, we encourage you to apply today and see all that DCYF has to offer.

Some of what you will do:

• Prioritize and assign work to a unit of home study and licensing staff.
• Hire and train, coach, and mentor new and existing professional staff in the law, policies, and procedures governing their job assignments.
• Participate in monthly leadership meetings that provide the foundation of growth and knowledge to coach and mentor junior Social Service Specialists.
• Provide informal training regarding licensing functions and home study assessment requirements and arrange for formal agency training for staff.
• Provide case consultation and review of home study assessments and licensing maintenance work.
• Maintain respectful working relationships with community providers and partners.
• Assist staff to make field visits in order to facilitate licensing and home study functions.
• Conduct case staffing, unit meetings, and other meetings as needed.
• Participate effectively in work groups designed to shape agency policy and practice including regional or office supervisor meetings.
• Perform supervisory personnel functions, including setting performance goals and performance evaluation.
• Perform quality assurance on staff documentation of the home study and initial licensing process, as well as on-going maintenance licensing processes.
• Prepare to give court testimony or mentorship to staff in preparation for court testimony if necessary.
• Consult with the Area Administrator on issues of imminent risk to children, chronic violations, complex cases, LD/CPS, media matters, and other cases as directed by the Area Administrator.
• Arrange formal agency training related to specific job assignments and career development.
• Review the level of risk in cases alleging abuse and/or neglect of children and ensure appropriate reporting has taken place.
• Review violations of licensing requirements to assure the health and safety of children and appropriate corrective action has been taken.

Required Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester OR 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Bachelor's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND four (4) years of paid social service experience*.

OR

• Master's degree in Social Services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Master's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid Social Service experience*.

AND

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

*A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.

*Paid Social Service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

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

• Working understanding of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed facilities.

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.

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

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.

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

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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.