Placement Exception Social Service Specialist - Belonging​/Vancouver

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 2 (SSS2)

Location: Vancouver, WA (Belonging House)

Closes: 8/30/26

Salary: $66,072 - 88,788 Annually.

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) to join our Vancouver Belonging House team. Belonging House is a Placement Exception Facility that supports DCYF Dependent youth who present with severe complex trauma due to abuse and neglect. The facility may serve up to three youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Social Service Support Specialist to three youths.

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

to learn more about DCYF.

This position will play a key role in promoting positive youth development and improving outcomes for youth placed in Belonging House. It also is responsible for providing supervision, culturally appropriate emotional support, personal attention, and a structured daily routine. This position will require strong assessment and engagement skills to support youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs, while also calmly managing crisis situations through de-escalation techniques.

• Provide youth supervision and monitoring.
• Transport youth to and from school and community-based appointments.
• Monitor and assess youth compliance with treatment, education, medical and wellbeing program requirements, and risk to self/others.
• Document breaches of security and behavioral incidents.
• Maintain a written account of each youth's daily activities and interactions during work shifts in FAMLINK.
• Manage weekly and monthly appointment calendar.
• Utilize de-escalation skills while assisting with crisis response.
• Conduct routine and random resident checks.
• Coordinate case planning activities for the youth with their assigned Social Service Specialist.
• Prepare, serve, and supervise meals.

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 any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience

OR

• 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 completed practicum.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

• Experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, supervised volunteer experience in youth/child-oriented organizations, counseling youth, education, or home visitations.
• Previous demonstrated experience using FAMLINK.
• Previous demonstrated work experience in preparing records.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity…