Address
Form of workJob Title: Home Study Specialist Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Spokane, WA - Flexible/Hybrid
Closes: Monday, February 5th, 2024
Salary: $5,214 - $7,016 Monthly
Are you a highly skilled and motivated individual ready to make a difference in your community? Our Licensing Division (LD) team in Spokaneis seeking a Home Study Specialist to help eliminate disparities in child and youth outcomes based on race and ethnicity. Join us in our mission and apply today.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
As a Home Study Specialist (SSS3), you will partner with families, service providers, and others to address safety risks through cultural competency and strength-based communication. You will facilitate child-specific licenses and placements; help locate the opportunities within the family's everyday life and identify behavior(s) that may lead to maltreatment. You will develop co-constructed plans to target primary safety areas and other child needs, develop skill-based objectives, and take additional action as needed.
Some of what you'll do:
- Conduct interviews and gather information to complete Home Studies for relative, adoptive, or foster placements, ensuring compliance with RCW and WAC regulations.
- Provide consultation to applicants, refer services/training, and provide support throughout the Home Study and/or licensing process.
- Produce written home studies accurately describing potential caregivers' family history.
- Assist caregivers to correct deficiencies that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed.
- Review completed background checks, suitability assessments, waivers and disqualifications on all applicants seeking Licensing and/or Home Studies.
- Assist licensed foster families to retain the family as a service provider, when appropriate.
- Notify staff of foster home licensure, including placement coordinators and the Developmental Disabilities Administration, as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with the Child Welfare Program and the Developmental Disabilities Administration to ensure safe and stable placement during the Home Study process.
- Inspect facilities, interview caregivers and children, and work with professionals to ensure safe home placements.
- Provide technical aid and resources to foster parents while collaborating with LD/CPS and SAM during investigations of WAC violations.
Required Qualifications:
- One (1) year AS a Social Service Specialist 2 (formerly a Social Worker 2).
OR
- A Bachelor's degree in Social Services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field AND two (2) years of paid Social Service experiencing performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
- A Master's degree in Social Services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field AND one (1) year of paid Social Service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
Note(s):
One (1) year of paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units)
A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that includes a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid Social Service experience.
*Degree must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org.
*Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with diverse populations.
- Solid working foundation and understanding of agency policies, WAC, and RCW related to licensing foster homes.
- Program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
- Ability to travel as business needs dictate.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in the use of MS Office (Word and Outlook) and Department databases such as FamLink.
How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Transcripts
Supplemental Information:
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.
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.
Incumbent must have a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver's license.
The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one (1) year of their appointment.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information, visit https://wfse.org/.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at veronica.jones@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627, or email support@neogov.com.
2024 - 00735
Employment Type: Full Time - Permanent
