After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Region 1

After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Region 1

Salary: $31.02 - $43.80 Hourly

Location: Multiple Locations - Eastern Washington, WA

Job Type: On-Call

Job Number: 2025-09167

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 1

Opening Date: 12/30/2025

Closing Date: Continuous

Salary Information:

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step.

Benefits:

Questions

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 within the Region 1, After-hours Unit. If you previously applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged.

Job Title: After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3)

Location: Eastern WA, Region 1 - On-Call

Our Region 1 office locations include:

• Spokane
• Colfax
• Wenatchee
• Omak
• Newport
• Moses Lake
• Clarkson
• Colville

For a detailed view of DCYFs regional boundaries, Click Here.

These offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am each day, 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 availability.

The incumbent will need to be available for a rapid, in-person response within the assigned county.

Salary:

$31.02 - $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. If you already applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged.

The Opportunity:

We are looking for After-Hours Social Service Specialists (SSS3) to join one of our Region 1 offices 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!

Responsibilities:

• Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.
• Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in the 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 for CPS Investigation cases, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS/FAR cases, and monthly Health and Safety visits on CFWS and FVS cases.
• Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.
• Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a childs physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
• Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement when needed.

What We Are Looking For (Required Qualifications):

The goal class of this position is a Social Service Specialist 3. We will also consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 2 level, with a training plan to advance to the goal class.

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 Masters degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master's degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND 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 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 Masters 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 AND

The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to appropriately apply child safety and risk assessment to a variety of complex situations involving child abuse and neglect and imminent risk of serious 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:

• A Social Service Specialist 3 at Range 58 makes $32.56 - $43.80/hr.
• A Social Service Specialist 2 at Range 56 makes $31.02 - $41.69/hr.

Worker Core Training (WCT):

As a Social Service Specialist, you are required to successfully complete a mandatory 9.5-week Worker Core Training (WCT). This training provides the foundational knowledge and skills needed to perform core job functions, including assessing risk and safety, supporting child well-being, gathering information, and conducting case and permanency planning. During the training, you will have opportunities to practice these skills through classroom activities, simulation exercises, and debriefs. Upon hire, you will be assigned to the nearest available training cohort. The training includes four (4) weeks at our Seattle training site (scheduled for Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8). For those eligible for travel from their assigned duty location, DCYF covers hotel accommodations and per diem costs.

How to 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

Benefits:

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

Benefits Overview:

• Medical (including vision), dental, and basic life insurance
• Multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state
• Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts
• Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction
• The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation
• Social Security
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Holidays
• Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year
• Military Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Additional Leave
• Leave Sharing
• Parental Leave
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Leave Without Pay

Application Questions:

1. Which of the following best describes a combination of your education and experience in the social services field?

At least Five years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline. A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one year of paid social service experience performing functions. 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 Service discipline AND a completed Practicum. One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1. None of the above.

2. Please choose the closest office location to where you are located (reside).

Spokane Moses Lake Colfax Colville Omak Wenatchee Newport Clarkson

3. (For degrees obtained outside the U.S.) Have you included a foreign equivalency certification verified by a NACES-approved organization from naces.org?

Yes No Does not apply

4. This position requires a criminal background check prior to employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position. Are you willing to undergo a criminal background check as a condition of employment?

Yes No

5. Do you have a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license?

Yes No

6. DCYF - How did you