Social Service Specialist In Training; SSS- Forks​/Port Angeles

Overview

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."

Job Title: Social Service Specialist 1-3 In-Training(SSS3)

Location: Forks/Port Angeles, WA (This position will work half-time in Forks and half-time in Port Angeles.)

Closes: 1/30/26

Salary: $4,771 - $7,622 Monthly. This position 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.

We re looking for a proactive Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join our amazing team. Our office excels at teamwork, including cross-program communication, collaboration, and assistance. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services to the children and families we serve. If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them support, apply today!

Learn more about DCYF.

In this role, you will assess complex family situations, interview children and parents, evaluate child safety, develop plans to protect children in their homes and offer services to children and families.

Some of what you ll do:

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse.
• Provide ongoing safety and risk assessment of the family throughout the life of the case and take appropriate action to protect children, correct parental deficits through services, and provide support to the family.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s) with a focus and priority on child safety.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement, and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Monitor the health and safety of children through regular visitation.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications): The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, we will consider candidates at the Social Service Specialist 1 and 2 levels, with two different options to meet the qualifications through an In-Training plan.

In-Training Plan Option #1 - Experience with Required Credits OR Degree with the Required Credits

Applicants applying under this training option must have at least four (4) years of on the job social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline OR a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Social Service, Human Service, or Behavioral Science, or any completed Bachelor's degree field that included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline.

• Social Service Specialist 1: Four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations 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 any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline;
  
  no experience necessary.
• 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 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 Services discipline AND completed practicum.
• 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 a Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any…