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/FVS 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 Spokane CPS/FAR/FVS Unit. This CPS/FVS Social Service Specialist 3 exercises independent judgment in devising their own work methods to provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management. This position is responsible for locating the problem(s) within the everyday life of a family and identifying the individual(s) and the behavior(s) that led to maltreatment.

Here is some of what you'll do:

• Apply public child welfare principles, laws, rules, and policy in assessing and intervening on assigned intakes to protect children from abuse and neglect
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for children, parents guardians, and foster parents.
• Complete investigative and FAR assessments.
• Interview and ongoing contact with each person focusing on strengths, cultural beliefs, values, language, developmental level, learning style, and communication challenges/barriers which may impact the behaviors.
• Consultation with other involved professionals/agencies focusing on the strengths and taking into consideration the cultural background and beliefs of each.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the strongest placement to nurture the child's culture and family ties.
• Provide psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other appropriate correspondence with outside agencies.
• Refer clients for psychological, psychiatric, and/or medical evaluations and treatment with outside agencies, and community resources and monitor progress and effectiveness of care.
• Conduct placement and Home Studies.
• Crisis Intervention/Child Protection and Staff/Provider/Family Consultation and Monitoring.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Complete all required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
• Monitor and review all court matters to endure compliance with RCW and federal mandates.
• Utilize Famlink to document case activities and maintain case records.

What we are looking for:

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 core competencies:

• Ability to competently evaluate, analyze and assess risk and safety of children in all cases, as defined by law and best practice, and implement appropriate procedures using the agency preferred risk and safety assessment tools.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply current applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly.
• Ability to utilize various (MS Office Word and other DCYF software) computer programs to document all services provided to clients.
• Ability to professionally communicate with others and DCYF staff through e-mail and memorandum as appropriate.

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 (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.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history may 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.

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.

This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply on-line? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360)688-3529 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.

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