CFWS Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Bremerton

Job Title: CFWS Lead Worker - Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).

Location: Bremerton, WA – Region 5. (Region Map). This position is full-time and permanent, requiring time in the field and the office. Travel is a requirement of this position. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, travel with clients as cases require, and travel to attend training and meetings in other locations.

Closes: 03/01/2026

Salary: $6,107 - $8,210. Assignment Pay:
This position will also receive 10% assignment pay, in addition to the regular base salary; the required 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.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead Social Service Specialists in Region 5—Bremerton. Our Bremerton Office is seeking a Social Service Specialist with CFWS experience, preferred. The ideal candidate is experienced and knowledgeable in Child Welfare and is ready to take on a supportive, mentorship role. If you have the necessary skills and are passionate about training staff and helping children and families, apply today.

to learn more about DCYF.

This position functions as a Lead Worker over Social Service Specialists who provide professional‑level social services to clients involved with (CFWS) Child Family Welfare Services. This position provides advanced specialized case management, coaching, mentoring, on‑the‑job training, and assistance in transitioning staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, establishes and maintains procedures to ensure efficient workflow, and acts as Unit Supervisor (SSS5) in their absence, including attendance at meetings, facilitation of meetings, case staffing, and decision‑making.

This position has the responsibility to apply child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policy in leading employees within its unit, as well as assessing and intervening on assigned workload only on the most complex cases. The SSS4 works with a diverse population, which may include military and/or Native American families, follows Indian Child Welfare policies, follows protocols signed with military organizations and local law enforcement agencies, and works closely with the Military Family Advocacy and/or tribal personnel.

This position must implement culturally‑relevant, ADA‑sensitive, and individualized service plans with clients, which are goal‑directed, have specific behavioral objectives, and are time‑limited.

• Serve as the lead worker assigned to the most complex cases, determined by the supervisor or Area Administrator.
• Provide on‑the‑job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to staff in multiple Field Operations program areas.
• Serve as the lead position over Social Service Specialists and Social Service Support Specialists (SSSS, SSS1, SSS2, and SSS3 levels).
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assign work, review work for efficacy, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy.
• Provide feedback and reporting to the supervisor on employees’ performance and training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a Social Service Specialist.
• In the supervisor’s absence, attend meetings and provide supervisory coverage.
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor delivery of services.
• Provide goal‑directed, task‑centered, and time‑limited crisis intervention to children and families.
• Utilize shared planning activities to obtain input from others to develop and coordinate collaborative case plans.
• Train, coach, and support Social Service Specialists in preparing court reports, court testimony, hearings, and proceedings.
• Provide staff with guidance and training on caseload and time management, case actions, appropriate assessment, and intervention techniques.
• Provide staff with…