Internal Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Spokane Valley

Position Overview

Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) – This position is open to current DCYF employees only.

Location: Spokane Valley, WA

Salary: $74,748 - $100,488 annually

Closing Date: 7/31/26

The Lead Social Service Specialist 4 Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) is an opportunity to grow supervision skills. The candidate will provide training, case‑management support on complex cases, support peers within the office, and sit on work groups that promote agency retention, growth, and change. The candidate will work to become dually trained to assist with Child Protective Services (CPS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS).

Expertise across casework areas will support future promotional opportunities.

• Provide on‑the‑job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to staff.
• Assist staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork.
• Assign work, review for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Serve as Lead Specialist on the most complex cases.
• Report on employee strengths and weaknesses to direct supervisor.
• Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony when necessary.
• Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.

• Seven years of paid social service experience, including at least one year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family‑centered practice services, and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or related discipline (30 semester or 45 quarter credits in Social Services) AND two (2) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. A two‑year Master’s degree with a practicum may substitute for one year of paid social service experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or related discipline (30 semester or 45 quarter credits in Social Services) AND three (3) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• Minimum of two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

* Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family‑centered practice services.

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Demonstrated case‑management experience.
• Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances and gather information to make accurate, precise decisions.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
• Familiarity with agency software programs, including Outlook and FAMLINK.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to building a diverse and equitable workforce that reflects the communities we serve. DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

All applicants and employees are eligible to perform a job or receive equal treatment without discrimination.