Description

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve, and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

Do you want to help families and communities safely care for their children? We're looking for a CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 3 to help protect children from harm, working toward the common goal of eliminating child and youth outcome disparities based on race and ethnicity. Our vision is that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The Opportunity:
DCYF is currently seeking proactive learners and resilient contributors to join our Children Protective Services (CPS)/Family Assessment Response (FAR) team in our Ellensburg office. In this role, you will perform advanced-level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations, and specialized case management in the CPS/FAR unit. You will investigate allegations, assesses complex family situations, develops plans to protect children either in their own homes or in out-of-home care through the intervention of the court system, and make findings of abuse or neglect based on the results of the investigation. In performing all duties, you will adhere to the tenets of the Solutions-Based Casework (SBC) model with a focus on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication, and learning styles.

Child Protective Services (CPS) – Persons who suspect that a child is being abused or neglected contact CPS with their concerns. If the allegations meet the screening criteria, they will be assigned to an Investigation or Family Assessment Response:

• Investigations - Allegations of sexual abuse and severe allegations of physical abuse and neglect are investigated to determine if abuse or neglect occurred and whether additional services are needed to keep children safe and help the family to be successful in the long term. CPS investigations are generally completed within 45 days and the case is either closed or moved to FVS or CFWS for continued case management.
• Family Assessment Response (FAR) – FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect. Families who qualify for FAR may choose the FAR or Investigative pathway. In FAR, there is no investigation and no finding about whether the alleged abuse or neglect occurred. Social workers work with the family to keep children safe and build on their strengths to establish the community support the family needs to be successful in the long term.

If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them the support they desperately need, ensuring they are being provided the comfort that their best interests are at heart, our Social Service Specialist 3 may be your next career. This position is responsible for assessing and intervening on assigned intakes to protect children from abuse and neglect. As such, these types of positions can be highly stressful as you are responsible for protecting children from risk and harm whenever indicated with little supervision.

Some of what you will do:

• Lead assessments and interventions on assigned intakes to determine child safety and take protective action as needed.
• Apply child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned intakes or cases to protect children and deliver needed services to families referred to Investigation and FAR
• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and other mandates
• Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children either in their own homes or out of home care through the intervention of the court system
• Interview children, families, and collateral sources to assess risks to children and determine family needs.
• Create referrals to appropriate law enforcement agencies, medical evaluations, and forensic interviews.
• Work with diverse family groups, including military and Native American families.
• Evaluate the progress of children and families using verbal and written reports from providers.
• Document case activities and maintain case records in the electronic case management system (currently Famlink)
• Focus on understanding and respecting the strengths of families including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication, and learning styles
• Develop strengths-based and client-involved service plans that are culturally relevant, ADA-sensitive, and individualized and make referrals for necessary services

Salary Ranges
Social Services Specialist 2 - $4,656 - $6,260
Social Services Specialist 3 - $4,892 - $6,575

What we are looking for:
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 and 3 levels, with a training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the following levels:
Degree 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 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. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work with management, peers, clients, community colleagues and the public.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, use of shared decision-making strategies and use of highly skilled interviewing techniques.
• Demonstrate current knowledge of applicable laws, rules and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with other professionals and maintain good working relationships with child's caregiver (foster parents, relatives, kin or facility staff).
• Demonstrated ability to implement risk assessment in all cases as defined by law and best practice using the agency preferred risk assessment model.
• Demonstrated ability to fully utilize shared decision-making processes for making case plans.
• Previous demonstrated experience maintaining timely Famlink documentation within program and manual standards, accountability requirements and agency's documentation expectations.
  

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and highest education details, and attach a copy of your college transcripts. A resume and cover letter are not required but are recommended.

Supplemental Information:
Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation.

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 covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion, and respect.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 280-3173 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

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