Our Work

Social Service Specialists make up a large part of the DCYF workforce serving in several departments across child welfare.

Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigations

CPS Specialists investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect and provide appropriate recommendations and services for families. Under the CPS umbrella is FAR (Family Assessment Response) an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of child abuse or neglect.

Family Assessment Response (FAR)

FAR is an alternative CPS pathway for families with low and moderate allegations of abuse or neglect. Families who qualify for FAR may choose the FAR pathway. In FAR, abuse allegations were not substantiated, and no investigation was conducted. Social Service Specialists work with the family to keep children safe, build on their strengths, and establish the community support the family needs to be successful in the long term.

Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS)

CFWS Specialists provide a variety of strategies to achieve permanency for children. Permanency planning involves decisive, time-limited, and goal-oriented activities to maintain children within their families of origin or place them with other permanent families. 

Extended Foster Care (EFC) 

Assisting youth 18 to 21 years old with placement services and opportunities to learn independent living skills support a successful transition to independence. 

Adoption

Finding permanent homes for youth unable to return home and supporting families as they adjust, adapt, and care for a new family member. 

Family Voluntary Services (FVS)

Through shared decision-making and case planning, these individuals provide an advanced level of specialized, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management. FVS Specialists evaluate family situations, interview children and parents, assess child safety and risk, develop plans to protect children in their own homes and offer services to children and families.

Central Intake

Central Intake is responsible for performing assessments and responding to telephone and written reports of abuse, neglect, and other child welfare service requests.

In this department, you will gather information and perform risk and safety assessments to screen cases and refer families to appropriate services. Within Child Welfare, the Central Intake unit operates 24/7 and provides services during weekday/non-holiday hours and statewide at all other times. 

Social Service Support Specialist 

As a Support Specialist you’ll provide supervision and monitoring of youth, transport youth to and from school and community-based appointments, provide therapeutic engagement including free play and directed activities. You’ll also coach, mentor, and teach life skills and complete documentation and calendar engagement. In this non-case carrying role you’ll receive on-the-job training and coaching. 

Social Service Specialist 1

A Social Service Specialist 1 is an entry level position where you’ll be under close supervision as you learn and grow. You will receive extensive training in assessment, engagement, placement, information and referral, protective services, and/or licensing activities, etc. You will not assume primary case assignment during your first year; and your responsibilities will be limited in scope and complexity with close supervision. 

Social Service Specialist 2 

This is the journey level of the series where you’re under general supervision as you work towards the SSS3 role. You’ll provide professional level social services to children and/or families. Depending on the program, this work may include completing investigations or assessments related to child abuse or neglect; or working with families on reunification or other permanent plans approved by the court.

Social Service Specialist 3

This is the goal class of the series where you are managing your own cases. You’ll perform advanced level, specialized case management in high profile or complex cases involving children. Depending on the program you may be responsible for intake, assessment, investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect, and specialized case management. 

Social Service Supervisor 4/5

In this role, you will provide mentorship, on-the-job training, and assistance in the transition of staff from formal training to fieldwork. This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, and establishes procedures for efficient workflow. In the absence of the unit supervisor, this position will facilitate meetings and make decisions regarding case staffing. 

Social Service Support Specialist

One year of paid/unpaid experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, supervised volunteer experience in youth/child-oriented organizations, counseling youth, education, or home visitations. Two years of social service education from an accredited post-high school program may substitute for experience.

Social Service Specialist 1-3 

The goal class is a Social Service Specialist 3, however, DCYF 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 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 AND a completed Practicum OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• 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 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. *Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

In-Training Plan Option #2 - Experience or Degree "without" the Required Credits
This option is for applicants who have four (4) years of paid work experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, counseling youth, education, or home visitations and do not have 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire OR applicants who have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in an unrelated field and do not have the required 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in the social service field but are willing to obtain them within 18 months of hire. This option is great for candidates who have some or most of the required credits and only need to complete a few classes to meet this requirement. Applicants who apply under this hiring option will begin employment at the Social Service Specialist 1 level and must complete the educational course requirements within 18 months of hire to advance to the next in-training step.

Social Service Supervisor 4 Qualifications

Seven years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one-year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline completed at a college recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

OR one of the following: 

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• 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 two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3. A two-year master’s degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences OR with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline and three years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3. 

*Paid Social Service experience which must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Social Service Supervisor 5 

Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR one of the following:

• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any
  master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Four (4) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
  
  NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.
  
  *Paid social service experience must include at least One (1) year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

• 8-weeks of Regional Core Training (RCT) with mentoring and coaching (Social Service Specialist 1-3 roles)
• Regional Core Training (RCT) is Washington state’s pre-service foundational training designed to prepare newly hired social service specialists with the basic knowledge, skills, and understanding to begin their careers in public child welfare. RCT is a comprehensive training containing multiple sessions which lay the foundation for continuous on-the-job learning and professional development critical to developing competent, confident, and effective child welfare professionals.
• RCT consists of a cohesive developmental curriculum in which knowledge and skills are broadened and deepened. RCT provides participants with blended learning opportunities, including classroom instruction, field activities, and coaching.
• This position includes continuous training and development throughout your DCYF career.

• Child Welfare Training and Advancement Program (CWTAP) at Eastern Washington University and University of Washington Seattle and Tacoma.
• Social Worker Licensure Training and Support Program: Providing training, supervision, and supports to staff seeking licensure through the Washington State Department of Health. 

• Competitive salaries
• Flexible schedules: dependent on the position, training-status, and supervisor approval
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision
• Career advancement opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• You’ll earn one day of sick leave each month, 14-25 vacation days depending on length of employment, 11 paid holidays and one personal day

Responsibilities might differ based on the specific department.

• Case Management: Assess risk and safety factors affecting children and families, develop service plans, and coordinate necessary services to support family preservation and child safety.
• Family Engagement: Work collaboratively with families to identify strengths and needs, set goals, and connect them with community resources to foster a supportive environment.
• Collaboration: Partner with internal teams and external entities, including law enforcement, courts, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive service delivery and uphold child welfare standards.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate case records, adhere to state and federal regulations, and participate in quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with all applicable policies.