After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) - Region 4/Kent

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."
Attention: This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool to fill multiple vacancies as they occur within Region 4, for the Afterhours Unit in Kent, WA. 

Job Title: After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3). On-Call. 
Location: Kent, WA -  Region 4.  Region Map. The designated office is located in Kent, and the After-Hours Specialist serves children and families throughout Region 4, King County.  This position requires time in the field and in the office; teleworking is not an option.
Job Type: On-Call.
Salary: $31.02 - $43.80 hourly.  King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. These positions may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.
Review Date: Applications are reviewed regularly.  If you already applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged. 
 
We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) in training to provide case management services to clients and families in the Afterhours Unit, Region 4, King County. We are seeking high-energy Social Service professionals with excellent child welfare assessment skills.  Apply today and join our amazing after-hours team! 

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity:
We're hiring Social Service Specialists at the 2 and 3 levels to work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays.  As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 4 during non-business hours. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during the times DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists. The number of hours worked per week will vary depending on the number of calls received and the number of days you are available to work. You will only need to be on-call if you are scheduled to work, based on the calendar that you help create. This position offers scheduling flexibility based on your weekend availability.  
 
Some of what you will get to do: 

• Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.
• Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK database. 
• Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.
• Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts, and monthly Health and Safety visits. 
• Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.
• Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child's physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
• Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement when needed.
• 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.  
• Supervise youth after hours when placement efforts are ongoing or when placement is unable to locate a safe, appropriate placement.
• Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
• Utilize the Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) Screens. 
• Attend and testify in court.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
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 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 
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 
One (1) year of experience** as a Social Service Specialist 1. 
AND
 

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

**Paid Social Service experience assessing risk and safety, and providing direct family-centered practice services is not required.

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 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
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 
One (1) year of experience* as a Social Service Specialist 2. 
AND
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles. 

*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to apply child safety and risk assessment to a variety of complex situations involving child abuse and neglect and imminent risk of harm.
• Prior experience displaying critical thinking skills and the use of shared decision-making.
• Prior experience using FamLink case management system and documenting casework information within timeframes.  

How do I apply? 

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: 

•  Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission) 
•  Cover Letter
•  Current resume detailing experience and education.

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.

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.

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 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).

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

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 the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.          

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