Placement Exception Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Belonging​/Vancouver

Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4)

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."

Job Title:

Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4)

Location:

Vancouver, WA (Belonging House)

Closes: 7/17/26

Salary: $ 74,748 - $ 100,488 Annually (The salary does not include an additional 5% premium pay for employees working at an on-site 24/7 facility.)

Schedule:

The currently available schedule is the 4/10 Day Shift from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. (There will be some variation in work hours due to the need to provide 24/7 care for youth in the facility.)

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead a team of Social Service Specialists at the Vancouver Belonging House Placement Exception Facility. Placement Exception Facilities provide short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. The Belonging House may serve up to seven youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Support Specialist to three youths.

If you have a passion for leadership and making a difference in your community, apply today.

The Opportunity:

The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Support Specialist 4 (SSS4) and manage lead daily functions in Placement Exception Facilities and functions as the lead of Social Service Specialists in the absence of the Social Service Specialist 5. The SSS4 is expected to provide leadership, guidance, and support in the delivery of services to youth and staff, ensuring that all activities align with the program's objectives and standards.

The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist will utilize cultural competency to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with youth, peers, community partners, and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the youth.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
• Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
• Supervise youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
• Report on strengths and opportunities of employees to their direct supervisor.
• Serve as Lead Specialist assigned the most complex cases.
• Report on strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
• Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
• Provide coverage for social service staff in their absence.
• Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor's absence.

What we're looking for (Required Qualifications):

Seven years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include 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. OR One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3. OR A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND two (2) years of paid social service experience
* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. OR A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience
* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. AND The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired

Qualifications:

• Previously demonstrated case management experience.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Previously demonstrated professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
• Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services accordingly.
• Previously demonstrated familiarity with agency's software programs, which include Outlook and FAMLINK.

How do I apply? Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes)
• Current resume…