DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist

DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

Location:

Vancouver Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

We're seeking to hire a Social Service Specialist Supervisor. In this role, you'll work with clients in a residential setting and support the mission to transform lives by promoting choice, independence, and safety through innovative services. This is a hybrid teleworking opportunity; in‑office hours are based on business needs. This role functions independently as a first‑line supervisor of a unit of Social Services Specialist 3.

You will be responsible for motivating staff, monitoring workflow, training staff, and ensuring the team provides the best customer service, honors client choice, and delivers long‑term care services.

• Attract, hire, train, support, and evaluate staff on performance and adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Set expectations for the performance of unit staff and prepare written performance evaluations.
• Ensure equitable work distribution within the unit.
• Conduct monthly staff, case, and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Respond to client concerns, legislative inquiries, and questions from providers; mediate resolutions.
• Conduct ongoing reviews of worker case records ensuring complete and accurate documentation of case activity.
• Prepare written and oral reports, documentation, and forms for program areas supervised.
• Analyze available information and various reports needed to develop and track performance measures and outcomes in order to equitably distribute workload, correct errors, and identify trends.

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4, or
• Two years as a Social Service Specialist 3, or
• Four years as a Social Service Specialist 2, or
• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3, or
• A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and five years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

Note:

A two‑year master’s degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may substitute for one year of paid social service experience.

Note:

Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of appointment.

Note:

Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to adult/children and providing direct family‑centered practice services.

• Leadership:
  Inspire, train, and support staff to do their best work, even when under pressure.
• Policy understanding:
  Explain and apply Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and ALTSA policy clearly and correctly.
• Decision‑making:
  Use good judgment when balancing client needs with program rules.
• Communication:
  Write and speak clearly when working with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Organization:
  Manage competing priorities and keep work flowing smoothly for your team.
• Conflict resolution:
  Ease tense situations and find practical solutions that help everyone move forward.
• Collaboration:
  
  Build trusting relationships with other agencies and community partners.
• Problem‑solving:
  Review complex cases, find key issues, and decide best action. Think fast and guide staff during emergencies or difficult client situations.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. Employees that drive on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees that drive a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in…