Internal Cfws​/Cps Roving Unit Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Seattle

Internal Only - CFWS/CPS
- Roving Unit, Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Our vision is to ensure that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

Attention: INTERNAL ONLY:
This position is open to current DCYF employees only. We have five vacancies; these 12-month non-permanent positions are needed to fill our NEWLY created Roving Unit. This recruitment has been reposted for additional candidates. If you have already applied, no need to reapply; your status remains unchanged.

Job Title:

INTERNAL ONLY - CFWS/CPS
- Roving Unit, Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).

Location:

Seattle, WA – Region
4. These full-time, non-permanent positions require time in the field and the office. Travel is a requirement; these positions will travel within their assigned areas of work, and the incumbents may be required to travel with clients as cases require, as well as travel to attend training and meetings in other locations. Closes: 07/01/2026 Salary: $5,666 - $7,622. King County Premium:
The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. Assignment Pay:
This position will also receive 10% assignment pay. This is 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 salary listed does not include the 2% general wage increase effective July 1, 2026.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking multiple Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS)/Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Specialists 3 (SSS3) to join our NEWLY created "Roving Unit" in King County. These Social Service Specialists 3s will provide time-limited support services to the Region 4 field offices based on business needs by investigating, within required time frames, all assigned reports of child abuse or neglect.

Roving CPS/CFWS SSS3 positions are assigned cases to support local offices within the region. They will change offices as requested by the appointing authority to support the office in meeting their needs. Assistance in an office can fluctuate from a few weeks to a few months. These positions ensure timely assessment of risk and safety and are not ongoing case-carrying positions.

If you have child welfare experience, apply today and join our newly formed Region 4 Roving Unit!  to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

These Social Service Specialist 3 – Roving Unit positions provide advanced-level specialized case management in high-profile and/or complex cases involving children. These positions are considered frontline department employees responsible for investigating and intervening with families where there are allegations of child abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. The primary function of these positions is to determine if children are safe with their families and caregivers, intervene to protect unsafe children, and develop a case plan with the family and caregivers to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children.

These positions ensure timely permanency outcomes for children, including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody plans.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Provide case-specific assessments; conduct investigations, interview children and families, develop and implement case plans, and make referrals.
• Provide ongoing assessment of safety, danger, and risk; complete safety and present danger assessments, and monitor safety plans.
• Complete health and safety visits.
• Assess resource needs of children, birth parents, and caregivers and provide stabilization supports.
• Determine resources available for placement of children.
• Permanency Planning
• Identify and develop appropriate permanent plans.
• Implement concurrent planning and refer cases for termination.
• Provide reasonable or active efforts to parents and ensure early and prompt referrals.
• Utilize SACWIS/CCWIS to document case activities and maintain case records per policy.
• Initiate payments within SACWIS/CCWIS for child placement and child/family services.
• Maintain case files.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents related to implementation of permanent plans.
• Prepare written, informed reports to the court on dependency matters and make appropriate recommendations.
• Consult with attorneys and court-appointed personnel.
• Follow procedures to ensure notice of court hearings and a copy of the dependency petition is given to those described in the statute.
• Serve summons to parties for court hearings and explain the court process to parents and children.
• Attend all court hearings associated with the assigned caseload and provide testimony in court when necessary.
• Ensure expert testimony by a designated Indian expert is available for court hearings as…