DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist In Training

DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 1-2 In Training

Join our team as a Social Service Specialist 2 with the Economic Services Administration's (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) at the Bremerton Community Service Office (CSO), where you will provide vital, client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency. This position will have access to the Washington Health Plan Finder (HPF) system and personally identifiable information (PII).

Passing a criminal background check is required for this position.

This position will also play a key role in helping CSD support ESA's efforts to reduce the number of individuals and families living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level in a way that eliminates disparities. Some of what you'll do:

• Conduct comprehensive intakes/assessments with applicants and recipients of the ABD/HEN and Work First programs in order to develop a goal with the client based on the assessment and all relevant information, including medical evidence when warranted
• Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to assess and determine client employability or incapacity
• Conduct Pregnancy to Employment assessments with Work First parents who are pregnant or parenting a child under the age of two in order to identify potential risks and/or barriers to participation and to determine the parents' ability to participate in the Work First program
• Develop a Work First Individual Responsibility Plan with clients and coordinate services with other agencies such as Mental Health Counseling, Domestic Violence Counseling/Support, Drug/Alcohol Assessment Centers, Employment Security Department, Social Security Administration, vocational rehabilitation agencies, developmental disabilities agencies, doctor offices, maternity support services, legal aid and other community service agencies
• Create, implement, monitor, and modify goals with customers moving toward self-sufficiency
• Provide case management for clients with social, cultural, vocational, medical impairments of varying degrees
• Verify and record Actual Participation Hours monthly
• Participate in home or alternate site visits to evaluate living situations and conduct assessments of vulnerable and disabled applicants, recipients and/or children when the client(s) is unable or unwilling to come into the CSO due to lack of understanding, or non-compliance to support CSD policy
• Follow non-compliance sanction policy and procedure, and monitor progress by tracking monthly re-engagement efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Who should apply? Professionals that meet the following criteria:

• Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1): A bachelor's degree or higher in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or a closely related field; OR A combination of education and/or relevant experience totaling four or more years.
• Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2):
  Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 and completion of the agency's Social Service Specialist training program; OR A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or a closely related field, and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1; OR A bachelor's degree in one of the above fields, and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

What we're looking for:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills when interviewing clients and interacting with coworkers, community partners, medical providers, attorneys, and community partners.
• Consistent ability to serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
• Successful at de-escalation in situations.
• Willingness and commitment to work with underserved, homeless, people with mental illness, and chemically dependent clients.
• Ability to use automated software applications.

Interested? Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
• Letter of Interest that describes your experience and qualifications specific to this job

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to…