Placement Coordinator; SSS- Seattle

Placement Coordinator (SSS3) - Seattle

Location: Seattle, WA

Salary: $5,666 - $7,622 Monthly (King County Premium not included)

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Seattle Office is seeking a dedicated Placement Coordinator/Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) to support our Child Welfare Field Operations team in Region
4. This hybrid role combines telework and in‑office attendance, with mandatory monthly in‑person unit meetings, training, and staff meetings.

• Apply child welfare practice, principles, law, rules, and policy in assessing and placing children.
• Maintain thorough knowledge and excellent working relationships with foster parents, placement agencies, other placement coordinators, and office staff.
• Maintain and update the placement list for office distribution.
• Prepare required documents for placement and respite.
• Track placements and respite through approved electronic documents.
• Communicate and coordinate with fiduciaries.
• Enter child placement using the Child Location Tool in FAMLINK.
• Provide ongoing assessment of risk.
• Assist in developing strength‑based and client‑involved plans to address areas of need.
• Assist with evaluating progress of children via communication with foster care placements.
• Relay information to social service specialists for action.
• Document case activities and maintain case records; initiate payments within FAMLINK for child placement and child/family services.
• Always consider culturally relevant, ADA‑sensitive, and individualized placement and services with clients.
• Determine resources available for child placements, consider relative options, assist with planning and coordinating appropriate placement in the least restrictive setting.
• Assist with preparing the child and family for any changes in placement.

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• OR a Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Bachelor’s that 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 delivering public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• OR one (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

Additional qualifications that are desirable include:

• Completed a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
• Case management experience with mandatory clients.
• Experience working in fast‑paced, high‑stress environments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Professional experience with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.
• Strong time‑management and organizational skills.
• Ability to make critical decisions based on integration of information from multiple sources.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies.
• Previous experience working with children/youth in Child Welfare.
• Experience assessing risk and safety.
• Knowledge of the local community and resources.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Experience with Fam Link and documentation requirements.
• Experience using agency software programs, including Outlook and SACWIS/CCWIS.

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (unofficial copies acceptable).
• Cover Letter.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please black out (redact) the Social Security Number before attaching any documents.

DCYF is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability.