CFWS Social Service Specialist

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: CFWS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: Yakima, WA

Closes: 8/5/25

Salary: $5666 - $7622 Monthly. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.

This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply— your application status remains unchanged.

We're looking for a proactive Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join our amazing Yakima team. If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them support, apply today!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will perform assessments, deliver services, and conduct inclusive permanency planning for immediate family, extended family, kin, and children. You'll not only assess and plan, but you'll take additional action when needed to meet the needs of child safety, permanency, and well-being. You will document incremental progress made by families toward meeting identified goals.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide comprehensive assessments of casework needs for children and families.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the strongest placement.
• Provide psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other appropriate correspondence to outside agencies.
• Provide case management services to facilitate out-of-home placements and review the need for continued out-of-home care.
• Supervise and place as necessary, dependent children (abused, neglected, and abandoned) in foster or other approved placements.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

Social Service Specialist 3:

• 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.

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

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.

*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:

• Public child welfare experience.
• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of child development, applicable Federal and State laws, and community resources.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
• Cover Letter
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

Supplemental Information:

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 mission 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 employer and does not discriminate on the basis of 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 or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

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 blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

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