Description

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve, and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

We're looking for a Social Services Generalist to join our team to help support and protect children, youth, and families. Together we will work toward the common goal of eliminating child and youth outcome disparities based on race and ethnicity. Our vision is that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

The Opportunity:
We are seeking proactive candidates who are looking for career progression and want to broaden their knowledge base by providing assistance within multiple Social Services specialties, including investigation, assessment, and ongoing case management in our Tumwater location. This position ensures timely, permanency outcomes for all children on their caseload to include reunification, adoption, guardianship, and third party custody plans as well as investigating initial reports of abuse and neglect.

NOTE: "This is a roving position that will serve all 14 offices in Region 6 Child Welfare Field Operations (CWFO) and though Tumwater is the duty station, the incumbent of this position may be required to work in any of the other offices depending on business need."

Some duties may include but are not limited to:

• Investigate, assess, and evaluate reports of child abuse and neglect and provide ongoing safety and risk assessment for the family.
• Provide case management for children in out-of-home care and under court supervision.
• Provide voluntary services to families under the Family Voluntary Services unit, or Family Reconciliation Programs.
• Provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment of casework needs for child, parents, and foster parents with a focus on permanency and wellbeing.
• Engage in concurrent planning with families to find the most appropriate placement and permanency options that nurture the child’s cultural family ties.
• Provide psychosocial summaries, home assessments, and other appropriate correspondence with outside agencies.
• Refer clients for psychological, psychiatric, and or medical evaluations and monitor progress.
• Monitor health and wellbeing of children through regular visitation between children, parents, and siblings.
• Develop and implement individual safety, service and voluntary service plans with families designed to address safety threats and eliminate risk to children.
• Facilitate out-of-home placements and review the need for continued out-of-home care.

Require qualifications for this position:
One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and three years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. A practicum will be substituted for the one year of paid social service experience.

• Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution.

NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• One year of experience assessing risk and safety with regards to child abuse and neglect concerns, or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge of the local community and community based resources.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision, as well as working as part of a team
• Ability to positively interact with clients, community partners and the general public in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to multi-task and organize information to meet FamLink documentation requirements.
• Ability to utilize software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.

How do I apply?
Complete your full applicant profile with your work history and highest education details, and include a copy of your college transcripts. Resume’s and cover letters are not required but recommended.

To take advantage of Veteran's preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long-form, or your NGB-22. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.

Supplemental Information:
**Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation**

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The initial screening will be based on the content and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications with comments such as "see attachments" or "N/A" in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.

DCYF is an equal opportunity employer and supports equity, diversity, inclusion and respect.

Need accommodation throughout the application/interview process? Unable to apply online? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov or (360) 280-3705 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388

Experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application? Call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

General suggestions for creating a good application packet:

• Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
• Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
• Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
• Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate 'how'.
• Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
• Make sure your application reflects your best writing.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

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