Dual Language CFWS Social Service Specialist ; SSS- Richland

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.

To be eligible for this position, you must pass a DCYF Spanish language certification test within your first 6 months of employment. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language, based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test.

Job Title: Dual Language CFWS Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)

Location: Richland, WA (Flexible/Hybrid)

Closes: 1/20/26

Salary: $5,666 - $7,622 Monthly. This position will receive 10% assignment pay in addition to the regular base salary. Duties include performing visits in unregulated environments to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.

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. The position will provide Child and Family Welfare services to children and families primarily in north Pacific County.

• Conduct investigations into allegations of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to determine if children are safe with their families and caregivers.
• Provide advanced-level specialized case management in complex cases involving substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence. Implement culturally-relevant, ADA-sensitive, and individualized service plans which are goal-directed, have specific behavioral objectives, and are time-limited.
• Interview children, family members, caregivers, and collateral sources to gather information necessary to assess child safety and determine service needs.
• Provide comprehensive assessments of needs for children and families while working with a diverse population, including Native American families.
• Assess the need for out-of-home placement and work with the family to find the most appropriate placement.
• Provide case management services to facilitate out-of-home placements and review the need for continued out-of-home care.
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings.
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings.
• Utilize FAMLINK to document case activities and maintain case records.

The ability to read, write, and speak both English and Spanish fluently is required. Employee must be certified, proficient, and able to provide certification within 6 months of appointment.

Essential experience and education:

• 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.

Additionally:

• 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.

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Knowledge of social casework principles and practices, risk assessment and decision-making, interviewing techniques, solution-based casework, principles of child development, applicable Federal and State laws, and community resources.
• Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
• Familiarity with community resources and the local community.
• Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

As a Social Service Specialist, you…