CFWS Legally Free Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Wenatchee

Our vision is to ensure that

healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

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: CFWS Legally Free Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: Wenatchee, WA

Closes: 8/14/26

Salary: $69,348 - $93,288 Annually

DCYF is looking for a Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Legally Free Social Service Specialist to join our team in Wenatchee. Our team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we enjoy supporting each other and creating a solution-focused environment. We are looking for a Social Service Specialist who possesses strong case management skills, knowledge of adoption and the importance of permanency for all children in foster care, and enjoys working with teenagers.

In this role, you will primarily work with legally free youth, with a focus on placement stabilization and permanency. Your caseload will include teenage youth, many of whom have been in the child welfare system for many years. This position requires an understanding of the challenges that youth face in today's world, as well as an interest in how to best support these youth in working toward adulthood and increased independence.

Permanency is a primary focus, as most of these youth are not in permanent homes. You will also help connect these youth with family members, even if only for support and connection, should placement not be an option.

• Provide casework and services to legally free children in order to establish permanency.
• Update case plans utilizing permanency planning resources and adoption social work skills/knowledge to meet the needs of the child.
• Assessment, service planning, general casework, and working with providers on assigned cases.
• Apply child welfare practice principles, laws, and policies when assessing and completing casework.
• Assure the child’s physical health, mental health, and educational needs are met.
• Provide ongoing assessment of risk.
• Provide referrals for assessments/evaluations.
• Utilize shared planning options/activities.
• Complete documentation and necessary paperwork for completing the permanent plan.
• Utilize Famlink to document case activity, and update/maintain case records/notes according to policy time frames.
• Prepare and submit required legal documents for all court hearings related to the dependency and/or implementation of permanent plans.

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience
  * AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• 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*.

• 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*.

• One (1) year of experience 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 year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply current applicable laws, rules, and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with community partners and professionals to develop and maintain resource teams to support children and families.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with caregivers (parents, foster parents, relatives, kin or facility staff).
• Ability to evaluate, analyze, and assess risk and safety in all cases and implement appropriate procedures…