LD/Group Care Licensor Lead (SSS4) Seattle | INTERNAL ONLY

Full Job Description

**This position is open to current DCYF employees only**

Job Title: LD/Group Care Licensor Lead (SSS4)

Location: Seattle, WA - Full-Time/Hybrid

Closes: Monday, March 2nd, 2026

Salary: $6,107 - $8,210 Monthly - The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.

This position supports the mission of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) To work alongside Washington’s vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community by functioning as a lead worker for staff who provide professional level Social Services to clients and interns, practicum students, and other volunteers involved with the DCYF Licensing Division (LD), Group Care program

This position will provide coaching, mentoring, on the job training and assistance in the transition of staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. The incumbent assigns work in coordination with their supervisor, conducts case reviews, conducts on-the-job training, establishes and maintains procedures for efficient workflow, acts as unit supervisor in absence of the supervisor, including attendance at meetings, facilitation of meetings, case staffing and decision making.

This position provides an advanced level of specialized, culturally relevant and strength-based case management. The incumbent uses cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with staff, clients and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide on the job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching and consultation to the staff within the Licensing Division Group Care program.
• Provide informal training regarding licensing and relicensing functions and facility complaint investigations for staff, other divisions, programs and the community as appropriate. Provide training and assistance to other staff as requested by supervisor.
• Perform and provide social services professional staff with guidance and direction.
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assigns work, reviews work for efficiency, uses data to identify trends, and reviews home study assessments and documentation for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Report on strengths and areas needing improvement of employees to their direct supervisor, provide feedback for annual performance evaluations, and identify training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a Social Service Specialist.
• Attend meetings and provide supervisory coverage, in the supervisor’s absence.
• Perform facility inspections, interview caregivers, interview/observe children, and work with other professionals as needed to achieve the goal of safe and healthy facility placements for children in the care and custody of the department.
• Partner with LD/CPS as they investigate allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect violations and provide technical assistance/resources and support Residential Private Schools (RPS) or Group Care providers.
• Provide guidance through the licensing application process.
• Serve on workgroups as a representative of LD Group Care.
• Recruit, onboard and license RPS and Group Care Facilities, including community presentations or meetings.

Required Qualifications:

• Seven (7) years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
  

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

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 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.

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

• 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 three (3) years 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.

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

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel) and data input (keyboarding) skills.
• Program experience in multiple understanding of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed providers and contracts.
• Program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
• Work independently to complete investigations/assessments in licensed facilities.
• Communicate through oral and written forms of communication, and comprehend, with diverse populations, management, peers, clients, community, colleagues and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.

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

• 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 is included in the supervisory 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 of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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 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.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact 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.

2026-01230