After Hours Social Service Support Specialist (SSSS) - Non-Perm/On-Call - Lakewood
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 Service Support Specialist to join our team to provide human services to families, working 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."
If you want to work in the social services field but do not have a degree, or you are working towards your Bachelor’s degree in a social sciences field, this would be the perfect opportunity to get your foot in the door and see all that DCYF has to offer!
The Opportunity:
We are searching for proactive and organized professionals to join DCYF as Social Service Support Specialists in our Lakewood office. In this role, you will support Social Service Specialist 3’s and Social Service Specialist 5's in providing services to children and/or families in support of the mission of DCYF by supervising and transporting children awaiting placement in out-of-home care. Activities could include supervision of children in offices or the community, transporting children to placements, visits, and appointments, assisting Social Service Specialist 3’s with the provision of and monitoring of services, gathering of records, and documenting information in appropriate state computer systems.
After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect in a timely and efficient manner during the times that the local Department of Children, Youth, and Families offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am each day, on weekends, and all holidays, although the need to assist children still exists. The average number of hours per week varies depending on the number of days you can work and the number of calls received. You are expected to be on-call if scheduled to work on the calendar that you help create along with the needs of after-Hours. You must have a willingness to work evenings, including overnight, weekends, and holidays
Some of what you will get to do:
- Arrange and supervise visits between parents and children awaiting placement, including transportation for children if necessary.
- Prepare and submit supervised visitation reports to social service specialist staff.
- Assist Social Service Specialists in monitoring parental progress of case plans and changes in family functioning.
- Provide transportation, child care assistance, or other household support on a time-limited/goal-oriented basis.
- Follow up with contacting relatives for potential placement and contact with an out-of-home child.
- Assist with preparing records, including summaries of support activities.
What we are looking for:
A High School Diploma or GED and one year of paid/unpaid experience caring for children, working in social care, supervised volunteering with youth/child organizations, counseling youth, education, or home visitations.
OR
Two years of social service education from an accredited post-high school program may substitute.
NOTE: Possession of a valid driver’s license and valid automobile insurance is required.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Strong skills in verbal and written communication.
- Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Previous demonstrated experience using FamLink.
- Previous demonstrated work experience preparing records.
How do I apply?
- Current resume detailing work history
- Cover letter
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 announcement 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, 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.
Benefits to include: medical, vision, and dental benefits, 401k retirement plan, sick leave, vacation leave, paid holidays and stock options available.
2023-00190