Dual Language Extended Foster Care Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) – Seattle

Title of the Job: Dual Language Extended Foster Care Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) – Seattle

Location: Seattle, WA

Job Description: DescriptionOur vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community.”DUAL LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: To be eligible for this position, you must pass a DCYF Spanish language certification test within your first 6 months of employment. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test.
Job Title: Extended Foster Care (EFC) – Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 In-Training (SSS2).
Location: Seattle, WA. – King County. Region 4. ( ). The designated office is flexible and will be determined based on need and/or location that is nearest to you. Office locations are in West Seattle, Queen Anne, South Seattle, Kent, and Bellevue. This position requires time in the field and office; full-time teleworking is not an option. A flexible schedule is required to respond to client needs and emergent situations. There will be some variation in work hours to complete face-to-face contact with youth within required time frames, travel with clients as cases require, and attend training and meetings in other locations. Transportation of youth is part of this job.
Review Date: 10/28/2024
Salary: Social Service Specialist 2: $5,117 – $6,876. Social Service Specialist 3: $5,370 – $7,226. King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.The Extended Foster Care (EFC) program in King County is actively recruiting a “Dual Language” Social Service Specialist 3 or Social Service Specialist 2 in training. This position supports a significant population of clients who primarily speak a language other than English with limited English proficiency and will carry a caseload of EFC youth ages 18-21. If you are passionate about working with young adults to support their independent living goals and improve outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system, apply today!Click here to learn more about .The Opportunity:
This position performs advanced levels of specialized case management in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) program for Spanish and English-speaking clients. This position serves as a point of contact within the work unit/program area and provides dual language assistance to clients with limited English proficiency. This position provides clients with oral and written interpreting and translation services, including interviewing, reviewing, documentation, and obtaining client statements. In this role, you will be assigned to a caseload of primarily Spanish-speaking immigrant and refugee youth, ranging in age from 18-21, who have voluntarily entered the EFC program. This role is responsible for assisting youth transitioning to adulthood to develop skills of emerging adult independence, ensuring youth health and education are met, and planning for permanent living arrangements. The EFC Social Service Specialist will have expert knowledge of the EFC program, policy, and law.Some of what you will get to do:

• Act as the EFC liaison for the local office and region.
• Provide highly skilled casework to youth participating in the EFC program.
• Meet timeframes for intake referrals, multi-disciplinary staffing, transition plans for youth exiting care, health and safety visits, sibling visits, Child Health and Safety Tracking (CHET) screens, permanency planning, financial planning requests, court reports, and ICPC requests.
• Assess youth progress in the program and identify barriers to independent living.
• Provide guidance and service referrals designed to help overcome specific barriers.
• Determine housing resources, complete life skills assessments, and develop plans for services that prepare youth for successful adulthood.
• Identify and develop community support and resources.
• Provide referrals for assessments and resources that respond to the youth’s identity, cultural, and emotional needs.
• Provide EFC program information to other Social Service Specialists, community partners, youth and families, and the court.
• Meet documentation and payment initiation requirements for accurate and timely entries into FamLink.
• Address safety risk concerns through cultural competency and strength-based communication.
• Develop and update the EFC case plan with the youth that assists in developing skill-based individual objectives.
• Document progress made by youth towards meeting the identified objectives/goals of the case plan.
• Prepare written and informed reports to the court addressing youth’s compliance with the EFC agreement and program.
• Attend and testify in court.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Social Service Specialist 2 level:
Five (5) years of paid social service experience** AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
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 completed practicum.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience.**
OR
One (1) year of experience** as a Social Service Specialist 1.**Paid Social Service experience (assessing risk and safety is not required).Social Service Specialist 3 level:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
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 One (1) year of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
OR
One (1) year of experience* as a Social Service Specialist 2.*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.Degrees 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 a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. For Degrees obtained outside the U.S.: Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.Ability to read, write, and speak fluently in English and Spanish. Employee must be certified and proficient and able to provide certification to perform duty. Certification must be obtained within 6 months of appointment.In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• At least one year of experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply current applicable laws, rules, and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State.
• Ability to effectively communicate and comprehend with management, peers, clients, community, colleagues, and the public.
• Ability to incorporate solution-based casework into current practice.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the local community and resources.
• Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.
• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

How do I apply?Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
• Cover Letter
• Current resume detailing experience and education

Supplemental Information:The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.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.This position requires a valid unrestricted (other than corrective lenses) driver’s license.This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement, for more information on employee benefits eligibility visit- .If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact . If you’re experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email .Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.2024-11686

Company Name: Washington State

Salary: $5117 – 7226 per month

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