Social Service Specialist In Training - Tacoma

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”.

Our full-time, permanent position will work the following schedule:
Friday (4 pm to 2:30 am), Saturday (1 pm to 11:30 pm), Sunday (11 am to 9:30 pm), Monday (4 pm to 2:30 am).

Job Title:

After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3)

Tacoma, WA – Region 5. The After-Hours Unit is located in Tacoma and provides coverage to Region
5. This position requires time in the field and in the office. Travel is required in Pierce and Kitsap Counties and other areas as needed.

Salary: $66,072–$93,288 annually. Assignment Pay:
These positions may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist
3. 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.

10/14/2026

In this role, you will be assigned Child Protective Services (CPS) initial intakes and assess for present danger. As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist during non-business hours. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during the times DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists.

Our after-hours team works when offices are closed in the evenings, on weekends, overnights, and holidays. This position provides After-hours assistance for Child Protective Services (CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS).

• Placement of child(ren) in either foster care or relative care in emergent situations.
• Respond to after-hours emergent calls concerning maltreatment of children.
• Responsible for placement of child(ren) in emergent situations.
• Assess risk and safety of child(ren), coordinating safe placement of children when determined appropriate.
• Interview children, families, and collaterals such as law enforcement, probation/parole counselors, school, medical, and mental health professionals.
• Investigate and evaluate reports of child abuse and/or neglect in compliance with RCW, WAC, and DCYF policy.
• Provide ongoing risk assessment of the family and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Make face-to-face contact on 24-hour and 72-hour intakes.
• Respond to crisis situations of DCYF children who are placed in either foster care or relative care.
• Meet required time frames and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK.
• Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
• Attend staff meetings and mandatory training.
• Attend and testify in court; respond to subpoenas.

• Social Service Specialist 2:
  Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• OR
• A Master's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or a Master's degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND a completed practicum.
• OR
• A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Bachelor's degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience.
• OR
• One (1) year…