CPS Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Ellensburg

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: CPS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: Ellensburg, WA (This position will be eligible for hybrid telework after completing the probationary period.)

Closes: 2/5/26

Salary: $5,666 - $7,622 monthly. This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the 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 Child Protective Services (CPS) Social Service Specialist (SSS3) to join our Ellensburg team. Our office emphasizes teamwork, 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!

to 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.

• 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 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:

• 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

• Master'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

• 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:

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Demonstrated knowledge of addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery principles, and/or experience working with individuals with substance use disorder.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build consensus with families, community partners, and professionals around difficult or sensitive topics.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

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…