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:  ICW Active Efforts Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) Location: Yakima, WA  Closes: 9/20/24 Salary:  $5370 - $7226 Monthly.  DCYF is looking for an Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Active Efforts Social Service Specialist to join our amazing Yakima office. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today.   Click here to learn more about DCYF.    The Opportunity: ICW Active Efforts Specialists are responsible for making active efforts to reach tribal family members throughout a case before removing a child. In this role, you will take protective action, enhance parental capacities, plan for permanent living arrangements for children, and ensure the child's health and education needs are met.  You will focus on building collaborative working relationships with identified tribal partners and have primary assignments (or be co-assigned) to cases providing social services to Native American Families.  Some of what you will get to do: * Meet and interview children, parents, Indian Custodians, extended family, and collaterals working with a family.  * Consult and collaborate with the child's tribe. * Review child protective services and child welfare history, criminal records, and other applicable documents. * Identify imminent safety threats, and short-term or long-term risks that may occur in a family. * Assess family history and support system by inquiring parents if a history of trauma exists, and if trauma triggers are present while providing parents with collateral information as needed. * Inquire parents and family members about cultural backgrounds and what cultural involvement means to the family. * Consult with tribes to identify cultural activities/supports for parents. * Assess and address barriers to engagement in services and service referrals. * Assess a family's access to safe, reliable transportation and help address challenges. * Provide accurate and timely documentation into FAMLINK.  * Attend and testify in court.  What we're 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. * 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: * Prior public child welfare experience working with tribes and Native American families. * Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.  * Previously demonstrated case management experience. * Knowledge and familiarity with the local community and resources. * Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems. * Previously demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies. * Experience with FAMLINK and documentation requirements. * Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.  How do I apply?  Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:  * Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)   * Resume * Cover Letter   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. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.   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 position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/  Incumbent must hold a valid driver's license when operating a state or privately owned vehicle on official state business. 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. 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 (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.    10433