Social Service Specialist In-Training; SSS- Region​/NW Washington

Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) and Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Unit: CPS, CPS/FAR, CFWS.

Location:

Region 3 – Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, Snohomish Counties. Offices in Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Oak Harbor, Arlington (Smokey Point), Everett, Lynnwood, Monroe (Sky Valley).

Job Type: Full‑time, Permanent.

Salary: $5,398 – $7,622. Assignment Pay: 10% pay added when reaching Social Service Specialist 3 class.

Travel is required. Travel within area and to clients, trainings, and meetings in other locations.

Application reviewed regularly.

Assess complex family situations, interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes, and offer services to children and families.

CPS Specialists investigate child abuse/neglect allegations and provide recommendations and services.

Under CPS is FAR (Family Assessment Response), an alternative pathway for families with low/moderate allegations.

FAR specialists work with families to keep children safe and build on strengths for long‑term success.

CFWS Specialists provide strategies to achieve safe and timely permanency.

• Determine if children are safe with families through respectful investigation and/or assessments.
• Intervene to protect unsafe children and develop case plan.
• Follow child welfare laws, policies, and procedures.
• Conduct ongoing comprehensive assessments of risk and safety, develop case plans, authorize services.
• Implement culturally appropriate, ADA‑sensitive, individualized service plans.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor delivery of services.
• Use shared planning meetings with parents, relatives, attorneys, and other professionals.
• Conduct health and safety visits.
• Develop and implement timely permanent plans that respond to child permanency needs.
• Provide reasonable active efforts to parents to prevent removal.
• Identify primary and concurrent permanent plans within legal and mandated time frames.
• Consult with the agency attorney, prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
• Assist in placing children in approved placements and prepare child for visitation.
• Transport children to placement, appointments, family time or sibling visits.
• Schedule and supervise/monitor visitations.
• Document case notes and activity in State computer database, FAMLINK.
• Create court reports and prepare legal documents.
• Attend court, provide expert testimony.

Goal class is Social Service Specialist
3. Consideration of SSS2 with training plan.

• SSS2: $5,398 – $7,254
• SSS3: $5,666 – $7,622

Social Service Specialist 2:

• Five (5) years paid social service experience and completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
• OR Master’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits and completed practicum.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits and one (1) year of paid social service experience.
• OR One (1) year experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Social Service Specialist 3:

• Six (6) years paid social service experience with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in Social Services discipline.
• OR Master’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits and one (1) year paid social service experience.
• OR Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits and two (2) years paid social service experience.
• OR One year as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• 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 (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family‑centered practice services.

• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and…