CPS Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Vancouver​/Columbia Office

Overview

Job Title:

CPS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) – Investigator

Location:

Vancouver, WA (Columbia Office, located on the Columbia waterfront). This position will be eligible for hybrid telework 1-2 days per week after completing the probationary period.

Closes: 10/8/25

Salary: $5666 - $7622 monthly. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. The duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.

We are looking for a proactive Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join our Vancouver Columbia Office team. If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them support, apply today!

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.

• Conduct investigations into allegations of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to determine if children are safe with their families and caregivers.
• Provide advanced-level specialized case management in complex cases involving issues such as substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. Implement culturally-relevant, ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans which are goal-directed, have specific behavioral objectives, and are time-limited.
• Interview children, family members, caregivers, and collateral sources to gather information necessary to assess child safety and determine service needs.
• Provide comprehensive assessments of needs for children and families while working with a diverse population, which may include Native American families.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Provide case management services to facilitate out-of-home placements and review the need for continued out-of-home care.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.

• Social Service Specialist 3:
  Six (6) years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline 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.
• AND Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.
• * Paid social service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of child development, applicable Federal and State laws, and community resources.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

• Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable), cover letter, and current resume detailing experience and education.

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…