After-Hours Social Service Specialist 1-3 In Training (On Call)

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 3, After-hours Unit. If you previously applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged. 


Job Title: After-Hours Social Service Specialist 1-3 In-Training (SSS3). On-Call. 
Locations: NW Washington, Region 3.  Region Map. The After-Hours Unit provides coverage to the entire area of DCYF Region 3, which includes Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom County. The designated office you report to is flexible depending on your location. This position requires time in the field and in the office; teleworking is not an option.
Job Type: On-Call.
Salary: $27.42 - $43.80 Hourly. 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. 
 
We're looking for After-Hours Social Service Specialists 1-3 to join us in Region 3 and help protect children, youth, and families. This opportunity is a great way to gain additional experience, supplement your income, and/or advance your career in social services!




Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity:
We're hiring Social Service Specialist 3s or Social Service Specialist 1 and 2s "in-training" to work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays.  As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 3 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):
The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two different options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan.  

In-Training Plan Option #1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits
Applicants applying under this training option must have at least four (4) years of on the job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor's degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline; no experience necessary. 
• Social Service Specialist 2: Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience OR a Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences AND a completed Practicum OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.  
• Social Service Specialist 3: Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience* OR Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience* OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.   *Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

In-Training Plan Option #2- Experience or Degree without the Required Credits
This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire OR applicants who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an unrelated field and do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire.  This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step. 

AND

 

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

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.  

Salary Ranges:

• Social Service Specialist 3: $30.86 - $41.53/hr.
• Social Service Specialist 2: $29.41 - $39.52/hr.
• Social Service Specialist 1: $25.96 – $34.93/hr.

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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