Social Service Specialist In Training - Colfax

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

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".

Attention:
This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies within the Region 1, Colfax After-hours Unit. If you previously applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged.

The opportunity is a great way to gain additional experience, supplement your income, and/or advance your career in social services!

As a DCYF After-Hours Social Service Specialist, you will assist Region 1 during non-business hours. You will respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect when local Division of Children and Family Service offices are closed.

Some of what you'll do:

• 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.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

The goal class of this position is a Social Service Specialist 3. We will also consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with a training plan to advance to the goal class. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the levels mentioned below.

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

• 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 completed practicum.

OR

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

Social Service Specialist 3:

• 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 any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*.

OR

• Master'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

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2

AND 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.

Preferred/Desired

Qualifications:

• 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.

Salary Ranges:

• A Social Service Specialist 3 at Range 58 makes $33.21 - 44.68/hr.
• A Social Service Specialist 2 at Range 56 makes $31.64 - 42.52/hr.

Worker Core Training (WCT):
As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT). This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to perform core job functions, including assessing risk and safety, supporting child well-being, gathering information, and conducting case and permanency planning. During the training, you will have opportunities to practice these skills through classroom activities, simulation exercises, and debriefs.

Upon hire, you will be assigned to the nearest available training cohort. The training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and
8). For those eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs.

The WCT curriculum is designed to prepare Social Service Specialists for the…