Social Service Specialist In Training; SSS- Tumwater

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

Location: Tumwater, WA

Closes: 7/28/26

Salary: $66,072 – $93,288 annually. Eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay upon reaching the Social Service Specialist 3 goal class.

We are seeking After-Hours Social Service Specialists at the 2-3 level to join our Region 6 team. The role involves responding to and investigating reports of abuse and neglect during non‑business hours, when local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on holidays.

• Respond to emergent requests and other after‑hours requests.
• Meet required time frames and complete documentation/paperwork in the FAMLINK database.
• Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.
• Conduct 24‑hour emergent face‑to‑face contacts for CPS Investigation cases, 72‑hour non‑emergent face‑to‑face contacts for CPS/FAR cases, and monthly Health and Safety visits on CFWS and FVS cases.
• Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.
• Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child’s physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
• Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement when needed.

• Social Service Specialist 2:
  • Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; or
  • Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or similar AND one (1) year of paid social service experience; or
  • A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or similar plus completed practicum; or
  • One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Social Service Specialist 3 (goal class):
  • Six (6) years of paid social service experience
    * AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; or
  • Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or similar AND two (2) years of paid social service experience*; or
  • Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or similar AND one (1) year of paid social service experience*; or
  • One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• Additional required skills:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
  • Paid social service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
• Minimum of two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

• Public child welfare experience.
• Case management experience.
• Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Ability to appropriately apply child safety and risk assessment to a variety of complex situations involving child abuse and neglect and imminent risk of serious harm.
• Prior experience displaying critical thinking skills and the use of shared decision‑making.
• Prior experience using FAMLINK case management system and documenting casework information within time frames.

Background checks will be conducted as part of the hiring process. A criminal background check does not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered when assessing a candidate’s suitability for the position.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (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, veteran status, or disability.