CPS Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Parkland

Job Title: CPS/FAR Lead Worker - Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).

Location: Parkland, WA – Region 5. The Parkland Office is located at the Tacoma Building. This position is full-time and permanent, requiring time in the field and in the office. Some remote work is permitted based on office need and with approval.

Closes: 03/04/2026

Salary: $6,107 - $8,210. This position will also receive 10% assignment pay in addition to the regular base salary. Duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect and assess the safety of vulnerable children.

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to provide mentoring and guidance to Social Service Specialists in our Parkland Office. The ideal candidate brings strong experience and knowledge in CPS (Child Protective Services) and is eager to utilize that experience in a supportive mentoring role. This position offers an opportunity to continue developing leadership skills while helping staff build confidence, grow professionally, and deliver high‑quality services to children and families.

Our Parkland Office is deeply committed to child safety and the values of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). We foster a collaborative and supportive team environment where learning and growth are encouraged.

to learn more about DCYF.

This Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) position functions as a Lead Worker over Social Service Specialists (SSS1‑SSS3) who provide professional‑level social services to clients involved with Child Protective Services Investigations and Family Assessment Response. The role provides advanced case management, coaching, mentoring, on‑the‑job training, and assistance in transitioning staff from formal training to fieldwork. It assigns work, conducts case reviews, maintains procedures for efficient workflow, and serves as unit supervisor (SSS5) in their absence.

• Serve as the lead worker assigned to the most complex cases, as determined by the supervisor or Area Administrator.
• Provide on‑the‑job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to staff.
• Lead Social Service Specialists and Social Service Support Specialists (SSSS, SSS1, SSS2, SSS3).
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assign work, review work for efficacy, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy.
• Provide feedback and reporting to the supervisor on employees’ performance and training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a Social Service Specialist.
• Attend meetings and provide supervisory coverage when the supervisor is absent.
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor the delivery of services.
• Provide goal‑directed, task‑centered, and time‑limited crisis intervention to children and families.
• Utilize shared planning activities to obtain input from others to develop and coordinate collaborative case plans.
• Train, coach, and support Social Service Specialists in preparing court reports, testimony, hearings, and proceedings.
• Guide staff on caseload and time management, case actions, appropriate assessment, and intervention techniques.
• Guide staff on applying the Safety Framework and Structured Decision‑Making process to assess risk and safety through the life of a case.
• Place dependent children in foster or other approved placements (if necessary) for the most complex cases.
• Engage in permanency planning.
• Utilize Fam Link to document case activities and maintain case records/files.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents related to permanent plans.
• Serve summons, attend court hearings, and provide testimony in court.
• Produce discovery.

• Seven (7) 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 a related field with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits…