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CPS Social Service Specialist 1/3 in-training (SSS3)- Spokane North

Employer
State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Location
Spokane, Washington
Closing date
Jun 13, 2023

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Position Type
Research Scientist / Analyst
Hours
Full Time
Specialty
Children and Youth
Organization Type
Government
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 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
Children Protective Services (CPS) team in our
Spokane North office. In this role, 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, you will adhere 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:

Assess and intervene on assigned referrals or cases to protect children.
Utilize Fam Link to document case activities.
Investigate within the required timeframe all assigned cases.
Obtain data necessary to protect the child and to assist the child and family to receive appropriate services.
Placement of children with licensed foster care or relative resources to provide care and protection.
Provide ongoing assessment of safety and risk.
Prioritize partnership to ensure safety by building a consensus with the family and service providers regarding the primary safety and risk concerns.
Meets all case management expectations as required by law, policy, and other mandates.
Work with children and parents to resolve abuse/neglect issues that could necessitate placement outside of the home.
Maintain case records within program and manual standards, accountability requirements, and the agency's documentation practice.
Prepare and complete required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery.
Appear as a witness at court hearings.
Develop, implement, and monitor safety plans as required by policy.
Utilize Fam Link to document case activities and maintain case records.

Salary Ranges
Social Services Specialist 1 - $4,013 - $5,399
Social Services Specialist 2 - $4,656 - $6,260
Social Services Specialist 3 - $4,892 - $6,575

Who Should Apply?
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist at the 1 level, with a training plan to advance to a Social Service Specialist 3. The Hiring Manager will evaluate the education and experience of each candidate for one of the following levels:

Possible Combinations

Education

Experience

Social Service Specialist 1

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, or an allied field.

N/A

Social Service Specialist 2

N/A

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1

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

N/A

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2

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: Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Sociology, Child Development, Human Development, Family Studies, Pastoral Counseling, Anthropology, Therapeutic Recreation, Education, Therapeutic fields, Criminal Justice, Law & Justice, African American Studies, Native American Studies, Chicano Studies, Women's Studies, International Human Rights

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:

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's 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 effectively partner with community partners and professionals to develop and maintain resource teams to support children and families.
Professional writing and speaking skills.
Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with the child's caregiver (parents, foster parents, relatives, kin, or facility staff).
Ability to include caregivers in the case planning process and provide support for meeting the child's unique needs.
Competent computer skills including the ability to type and operate basic computer programs including Word and Excel,
Ability to learn the agency's software programs.

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** 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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies

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.

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 online? 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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