I applied, how long before I receive an update?
DCYF does our best to notify candidates quickly throughout the hiring process. If the position is “open continuous,” which means the position remains open to gain a larger candidate pool, then new applicants are reviewed once a week. If the position has a close date, applicants aren’t reviewed until after the close date.
After an initial review, qualified candidates will be sent to the hiring manager who then decides who they’d like to interview. If your application isn’t sent to the hiring manager, you’ll receive an email update shortly after your application is reviewed. If you aren’t selected for an interview or not selected as the final candidate, you’ll be notified by email at the latest when a final candidate is selected.
The hiring process may take a few weeks to complete, but if you haven’t received any updates after two to three weeks, email dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.
What does the interview process look like?
The candidates selected for interviews will be sent a self-schedule interview email to select an interview slot among several offered date(s)/times. Once selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need regarding the interview.
During the interview, a hiring panel will take turns asking you questions and allow time at the end for you to ask questions. Once the interview is over, you’ll either be contacted by email or phone to inform you if you were selected, not selected, or if they’d like you to participate in a secondary interview.
I want to apply for a Social Service Specialist role, but I don’t have a completed bachelor’s degree. Should I still apply?
Yes! The qualifications for the Social Service Specialist roles have an experience equivalency where you would need a specific number of years of experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline. Also, if you don’t have the credit hours, you could still be hired but would need to obtain the credit hours within your first 18 months of employment. See the qualifications and In-Training Plans.
I’m interested in a Social Service Specialist role, but my area doesn’t have one listed on the DCYF Careers Page. Could one become available in the future?
Yes! New positions open all the time, depending on the needs of the Child Welfare Offices in the area. Keep an eye on our DCYF Careers Page to see new openings, they will all be open at least one week, if not longer. Want to be the first to know about new jobs? Sign up for “Job Alerts” on our DCYF Careers Page.
How do I know the salary for the position and are there pay increases periodically?
Washington state agencies are very transparent about salary ranges, each job posting will have the salary range listed under the category “salary” towards the top of the posting. If the position has an option for multiple classes, the body of the job posting will list the salary range for each class. Employees will receive a two (2) step increase to base salary annually, on their periodic increment date, until they reach the top step of the pay range.
Are there options for remote or flexible scheduling in Social Service Specialist positions? Or other positions?
Typically, open positions that have remote or hybrid options will be listed on the job posting. Social Service Specialist positions require on-site/fieldwork due to business needs, however there may be opportunities to work remotely or work a flexible schedule once the employee is fully trained. The ability to work a flexible schedule or incorporate some remote work is decided by the department supervisors within the office the employee works in and is based on business needs.
The position I am applying for says that it’s for a specific region, what does that mean?
DCYF Child Welfare has six regions statewide with multiple offices located in each region. If the position is regional, it typically means you could work at an office within the specific region, or the work may involve travel to various offices within the region.
The job announcement should provide that information, if you have additional questions, reach out to dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.
The position I am applying for states it is for a specific county, what does that mean?
This typically means the county has multiple offices and several of them are hiring for that position. The different offices that are hiring will be listed in the job posting and will usually have a supplemental question where you can select which offices you’d be interested in working.
If you have additional questions, reach out to dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.
How can I stay connected to DCYF?
DCYF can be found on several different social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, and X.