Family Recovery Court Specialist ; SSS- Lakewood

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.

Family Recovery Court Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).

Lakewood, WA – Region 5 (Region Map).

01/12/2025

$5,398 – $7,622. Assignment Pay: 10% assignment pay is awarded when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. In addition to the regular base salary, the role includes performing visits in unregulated environments (e.g., private residences) to investigate allegations of abuse/neglect and assess the safety of vulnerable children.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Family (DCYF), Family Recovery Court (FRC) unit is seeking a Social Service Specialist 3 or Social Service Specialist 2 in‑training to join our Lakewood Office. Our FRC team builds strong relationships, supports one another, and grows together. If you want to positively impact children and families, apply today and join our supportive Family Recovery Court unit in Region 5, Pierce County.

to learn more about DCYF.

Family Recovery Court (FRC) is a specialized regional program within Child Family Welfare Services (CFWS) that partners with SUD treatment services to wrap around families with open dependencies. The key benefits of the program include quick access to treatment services and familiar faces for families in court. Court is held in‑person on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. The FRC Specialist focuses on evaluating family situations, interviewing, assessing risk, and developing plans that protect children.

In this role, you will work in a non‑adversarial, therapeutic court setting, protecting children from risk and harm while engaging in critical thinking and shared decision‑making to ensure timely permanency outcomes for children—including reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third‑party custody plans. The FRC Specialist may have a reduced caseload and may hold both FRC and CFWS cases.

• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and mandates.
• Assess delivery of services and permanency planning that is inclusive of immediate family, extended family, kin, and children.
• Participate in shared meetings and activities with law enforcement to complete tasks.
• Work with families and caregivers to find the best possible outcome for child placement that nurtures the child’s cultural and family ties.
• Prepare and counsel children and families regarding the need for placement and separation, working through loss and trauma, and helping families reunite.
• Work with County Superior Court officers, tribes, attorneys, and court staff to prepare court hearings.
• Meet time frames for safety visits, family visits, court reporting, and permanency plans.
• Engage with children and families in their homes, at community meetings, and in medical facilities.
• Develop service plans and goals for families regarding safety and support.
• Collaborate with community partners for local resources and family services.
• Refer clients for mental health, substance abuse, and psychiatric services.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through visitation and ensure continued safety and well‑being.
• Develop and monitor individual service and voluntary service plans with families to address safety threats and risks.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents.
• Assess resource needs of children, birth parents, and caregivers and provide placement and placement stabilization supports.

Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR
Master’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences (including 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline) AND completed practicum.

OR
Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences (including 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline) and…