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: FRS (Family Reconciliation Services) Social Service Specialist 1-3 In Training (SSS3) Location: Tacoma, WA. Region 5 - (Region Map).  This position is full-time/permanent. Work duties will be performed in an office environment; while some teleworking options may be considered, full-time teleworking is not an option. Closes: 12/18/24 Salary: $4,517 - $7,226 Monthly.    DCYF is looking for a Family Reconciliation Services (FRS) Social Service Specialist 3 to join our Tacoma office. The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels with an In-Training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively and effectively with co-workers, supervisors, administration, children and families, caregivers, and community partners to assess child safety and support children and families. Apply today and join our amazing team in Region 5! Click here to learn more about DCYF.    The Opportunity: This frontline FRS Social Service Specialist addresses child safety and supports families to preserve, strengthen, and reconcile families in conflict or families with youth experiencing high-risk behaviors.  This position is responsible for investigating and intervening with families where there are allegations of child abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. The primary function of this position is to determine if children are safe with their families and caregivers, intervene to protect unsafe children, and develop a case plan to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children. This position ensures timely permanency outcomes for all children on their caseload including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third-party custody plans. Some of what you'll do: * Conduct investigations into allegations of abandonment, abuse, or neglect of children. * Provide comprehensive family assessments, and safety and risk assessments.  * Provide service planning, casework, and court services on assigned cases within required timelines.  * Develop, implement, and monitor safety plans. * Conduct child/family health and safety visits, parent/child visits, and sibling visits.  * Oversee the voluntary placement while continuing to work with children and parents. * Prepare and present written court reports and provide oral testimony for court proceedings.  * Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records. Required Qualifications:   To qualify as a Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, counseling youth, educating youth, AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits* in a Social Services discipline. Credits can be obtained within the first 18 months of employment. OR  A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences.  OR A Bachelor's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. Credits can be obtained within the first 18 months of employment. To qualify as a Social Service Specialist 2: Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.  OR  A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services 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 a completed practicum.  OR  One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.  Paid Social Service experience (assessing risk and safety is not required). To qualify as a Social Service Specialist 3: Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.  OR  A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, OR Bachelor's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.  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 One (1) year of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.  OR  One year as a Social Service Specialist 2.  * Paid Social Service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services. Salary Ranges: * Social Service Specialist 1: Range 51 ($4,517 - $6,077) * Social Service Specialist 2: Range 56 ($5117 - $6876) * Social Service Specialist 3: Range 58 ($5370 - $7226) In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: * Prior public child welfare experience.  * Case management experience with mandatory clients. * Knowledge of child development and family systems.  * Professional experience working with clients who have mental health, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behaviors.  * Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.  * Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies and delivering services.  * Demonstrated experience partnering effectively with clients, caregivers, colleagues, and other professionals.  * Demonstrated experience evaluating, analyzing, and assessing risk and safety.  * Demonstrated experience utilizing shared decision-making processes.  * Familiarity with the agency's software program Famlink, and SACWIS/CCWIS. How do I apply? Complete your applicant profile in detail and attach the following:  * College Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)   * Cover Letter  * Current resume detailing experience and education. * References  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 requires a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.  This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/    Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what's listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).   If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, 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.   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.   2024-13730