CFWS Social Service Specialist In Training; SSS- Kelso

Job Title

CFWS Social Service Specialist 1-3 In Training (SSS3)

Kelso, WA

6/9/26

$57,252 - $91,464 annually. This position may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. The salary listed does not include the 2% general wage increase effective July 1, 2026.

We're looking for a Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join our amazing Kelso team. Our office environment excels at team support, including cross-program communication and assistance, and collaborative supervision. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today.

Learn more about DCYF.

In this role, you will assess complex family situations, interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes, and offer services to children and families.

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Interview children, family members, caregivers, and collateral sources to gather information necessary to assess child safety and determine the service needs of the family.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family throughout the life of the case and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s) with a focus and priority on child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

In-Training Plan Option #1: Experience with Required Credits or Degree with the Required Credits Applicants applying under this training option must have at least four (4) years of on the job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor’s degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’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;
  
  no experience necessary.
• Social Service Specialist 2: Five (5) 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 which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience 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 completed practicum.
• 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. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing…