DCYF Child Protective Services Investigator (SSS3) - Spokane

Description

**This recruitment has been reopened to attract a larger applicant pool.Applicants that have previously applied do not need to reapply.**
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 Child Protective Investigator 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:
Social Service Specialist 3

DCYF is currently seeking a proactive learner and resilient contributor to join our Children Protective Services (CPS) team in our Spokane office. As a CPS Investigator, you will perform advanced level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations, and specialized case management in the CPS unit. This position investigates 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 makes findings of abuse or neglect based on the results of the investigation. In performing all duties, the CPS Investigator adheres 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.

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.

Here is some of what you'll do as a CPS Investigator:

• 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 CPS.
• Responsible for assessment, delivery of services, and permanency planning that is inclusive of immediate family, extended family, kin, and children (as appropriate) in assessment, planning and service delivery activities.
• As member of a child and family team, coordinate case assessment actions while utilizing solution-based casework principles.
• Coordinate with key individuals including, but not limited to: parents, relatives, other social workers, service providers, extended family, medical professionals, education professionals, other community professionals.
• Conduct visits in the home of the child, parent and caregiver, as well as community meetings.
• Assess all assigned CPS intakes alleging neglect of children and/or low risk physical abuse to include interviewing children, family members and collateral sources to gather information necessary to assess child safety and determine service needs of family.
• Develop and implement case plans, collaboratively with others, that protect children from harm.
• Work with a diverse population, which may include military and/or Native American families, follows Indian Child Welfare policies, follows protocols signed with military organizations, and works closely with the Military Family Advocacy and/or tribal personnel.
• Provide ongoing assessment of safety and risk.
• Assess resource needs of children parents, and other caregivers and provide stabilization supports.
• Identify and develop community supports and resources.
• Provide referrals for assessments and resources that respond to the identity, cultural, and psycho-emotional needs of children and clients.
• Initiate criminal history checks as required by policy.
• Develop strengths-based and client-involved service plans with the family to address assessed areas of needs.
• Utilize shared planning activities to obtain input from others who are closely concerned with the case and to jointly develop and coordinate case plans: assess need for alternative placements:
• Implement culturally relevant ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans with clients which are goal directed, have specific behavioral objectives and are time limited.
• Coordinate services with tribes as appropriate.
• Provide goal-directed, task-centered and time limited crisis counseling and intervention to children and families.
• Evaluate progress of children and their families by soliciting and assessing verbal and written reports from therapists, counselors, caregivers, school personnel, family members, and other significant individuals.
• Prepare required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.

What we are looking for:
One year as a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR

• Bachelor's in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field AND two years as a Social Service Specialist 2 or equivalent paid social service experience.

OR

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field AND one year as a Social Service Specialist 2 or equivalent paid social service experience. A practicum will be substituted for the one year of paid social service experience.

• Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution.

NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment

The above experience must Include one year (1) paid social service experience assessing risk and safety to children and providing family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

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

• Proven ability to effectively communicate and comprehend with management, peers, clients, community colleagues and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
• Current working knowledge of applicable laws, rules and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with other professionals involved in the preparation of child and family prospective permanency families for transition and permanency outcome.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with child's caregiver (foster parents, relatives, kin or facility staff). Include caregivers in the case planning process and provide support for meeting the child's unique needs.
• Proven ability to implement risk assessment in all cases as defined by law and best practice using the agency preferred risk assessment model.
• Proven ability to fully utilize shared decision making processes for making case plans, includes: Family Team Decision Meetings, dependency case conferences, permanency planning staffing's, Child Protective Teams, Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee, adoption teaming staffing's, Behavior Rehabilitation Services team meetings etc. Include children, as appropriate, in the development of service plans.
• Proven ability to use and knowledge of FAMLINK standards and requirements.
• Proven ability to complete work in a timely manner, following established policy and procedures regarding timeline for Emergent and Non-emergent referrals.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• College/University Transcripts

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.

Supplemental Information:
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 announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies**

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

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.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply on-line? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov 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.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

2021-06697