DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist

DSHS HCLA Social Service Supervisor (Social Service Specialist
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We're seeking to hire a Social Service Specialist Supervisor on our team. This opportunity is located in the Vancouver Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA). 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 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 is providing the best customer service possible, honoring client choice, and providing long‑term care services.

This is a hybrid teleworking opportunity; in‑office hour requirements are based on business needs.

• 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
• Ensures 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

Professionals with either:

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4
• Two years as a Social Service Specialist 3
• Four years as a Social Service Specialist 2
• 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
• 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 their appointment.

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

NOTE: Equivalent education/experience.

• Leadership:
  You can inspire, train, and support staff to do their best work, even when under pressure.
• Policy understanding:
  You can explain and apply Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and ALTSA policy clearly and correctly.
• Decision‑making:
  You use good judgment when balancing client needs with program rules.
• Communication:
  You write and speak clearly when working with staff, clients, and community partners.
• Organization:
  You manage competing priorities and keep work flowing smoothly for your team.
• Conflict resolution:
  You can ease tense situations and find practical solutions that help everyone move forward.
• Collaboration:
  
  You build trusting relationships with other agencies and community partners.
• Problem‑solving:
  You can review complex cases, find the key issues, and decide what action is best. You can think fast and guide staff during emergencies or difficult client situations.

Interested? Apply today!

Questions? Please reach out to sharon.sterling.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725‑5810 and reference job number 00146.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti‑racism,…