CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 1-3 (SSS3) - Kent/King SW Details

CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 1-3 (SSS3) - Kent/King SW

State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and Families - Kent, WA

Employment Type : Full-Time

Description

**We have multiple vacancies.apply today!** This recruitment has been reposted until all vacancies are filled. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply. Your application status remains unchanged.
King County Premium: The salary listed above does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.

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. 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."

We're looking for multiple CPS/FAR Social Service Specialist 3s (SSS3) in Region 4 at our King Southwest Office located in Kent. Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 or 2 level, with a training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. If you have some social service experience or are just starting out, this is a great way to gain experience and launch your career in the social service field!

The Opportunity: Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or (SSS1-2 In-Training)
Child Protective Services (CPS) and Family Assessment Response (FAR) social service specialists have the lead responsibility to apply child welfare practice principles, laws, rules and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned intakes to assess child safety and family capacity to provide for child safety; take protective action as needed, and deliver services to families referred to CPS. The Child Protective Services (CPS) unit investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect and provides the appropriate recommendations and services for families. Family Assessment Response (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 pathway. In FAR, there is no investigation and no finding of 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.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Conduct investigations into allegations of abandonment, abuse, or child neglect.
• Lead assessments and interventions on assigned intakes to determine child safety and take protective action as needed.
• Complete psychosocial and other assessments to determine the need, extent, and direction of intervention.
• Interview children, families, and collateral sources to assess risks to children, ascertain facts, gather social history, and determine family needs.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, preparing and counseling families through the process.
• Create referrals to appropriate law enforcement agencies, medical evaluations, and forensic interviews.
• Develop and monitor safety plans for children and complete health and safety visits.
• Provide support services such as counseling, problem resolution, guidance, and referrals to advocacy and mediation.
• Provide short-term voluntary placement of children with licensed foster care or relative resources, working with families to resolve abuse or neglect.
• Provide court documents for judiciary review and decisions regarding the welfare of the children and provide court testimony.

Who Should Apply?
We welcome candidates to apply at the Social Service Specialist 1, 2, or 3 levels. The hiring manager will evaluate which level you qualify for.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Possible Combinations
Education
Experience
Social Service Specialist 1
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
N/A
Social Service Specialist 2
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 (SSS1).
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
Two (2) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.
Master's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
One (1) year of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.
OR
A completed practicum
Social Service Specialist 3
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
Three (3) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
AND
One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Master's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.
Two (2) years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
A completed practicum
AND
One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Qualifying Degrees: Anthropology, Child Development, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Family Studies, Human Development, Human Service, Law and Justice, Psychology, Pastoral Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Therapeutic Fields, Therapeutic Recreation, African American Studies, Native American Studies, Chicano Studies, Women’s Studies, International Human Rights. *Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following core competencies:

• Ability to make critical decisions, based on the integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances and gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.
• Proven ability to identify problems, and develop and implement solutions.
• Ability to remain calm when being confronted and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to successfully manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to successfully work as part of a cohesive team, while also performing independently in a variety of settings.

How do I apply?
In addition to the online application, please provide the following documents to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• Cover letter
• Current resume
• College/University Transcripts (unofficial)

Supplemental Information:
**Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF Reader) 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**

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.

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

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 announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 870-3221 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 the Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number before attaching it.

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