Description

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families 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. 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 (SSS2-3):
We're looking for a CPS Rapid Response Worker to join our team. You will perform advanced levels of specialized case management within Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigations, Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS) programs. You will exercise independent judgment in devising your own work methods to provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management. As a Rapid Response Worker (SSS3) you will have the opportunity to work within all five of the Region 5 field offices.

Some of what you will do:

• Develop effective partnerships with the family, service providers, and others to address primary safety and risk concerns through cultural competency and strength-based communication.
• The social service specialists have a lead responsibility to apply child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policies when assessing and intervening in assigned cases to assess child safety and family capacity to provide for child safety.
• Enhance parental capacities to safely care for their children, plan for permanent living arrangements for children and assure children's health and education needs are met.
• Develop individualized strengths-based, client-involved, ADA-sensitive, and culturally relevant service plans that are goal-directed and address assessed areas of needs, have specific behavioral objectives, and are time-limited.
• Provide short-term court-ordered and voluntary placement of children with licensed foster care or relative resources to provide care and protection.
• Provide goal-directed, task-centered, and time-limited crisis counseling and intervention for children, parents, and foster families/placement resources with immediate assistance and services

Salary Ranges
Social Services Specialist 2 - $4,656 - $6,105
Social Services Specialist 3 - $4,892 - $6,575

What we are looking for:
Although the goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 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:

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

• Ability to 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 tool
• Ability to effectively partner with, communicate (verbal and written), and comprehend, with diverse populations, including management, peers, clients, community, colleagues, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position and to develop and maintain resource teams to support children and families.
• Ability to research, 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 develop and maintain good working relationships with child’s caregiver (parents, foster parents, relatives, kin, or facility staff). Include caregivers in the care planning process and provide support for meeting the child’s unique needs.

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

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Transcripts

To take advantage of the 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:
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.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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) 701-4928 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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