Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) – Burien

Description

Attention: This recruitment has been reposted for additional applicants. There is no need to reapply if you have already applied— your application status remains unchanged.

Job Title: Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4). 
Location: Placement Exception Facility, Burien, WA - Region 4.   Hours vary and include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. There will be some variation in work hours due to the need to provide 24/7 care for youth in the facility setting.  Travel for training, to attend meetings/conferences, or travel to other Statewide Placement Exception Facilities to support staff and youth may be necessary. May transport youth as cases require. 
Closes: 04/06/2025
Salary: $5,783 - $7,779. The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. 

We have two Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) Lead Worker opportunities that require someone with strong assessment and engagement skills to mentor Social Service Specialists and support youth at the Lake Burien Placement Exception Facility. If this sounds like something you would excel at, apply today and join our dynamic team in their work to promote positive change in youth behaviors and improve long-term youth placement outcomes.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity: 
The Placement Exception Facility Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) functions as the lead of Social Service Specialists in the absence of the Social Service Supervisor 5. The SSS4 is expected to provide leadership, guidance, and support in the delivery of services to youth and staff, ensuring that all activities align with the program’s objectives and standards. The Placement Exception Facility provides short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. This facility can accommodate up to seven youths, with a staff-to-youth ratio of one SSS or support specialist for every three youths. 

Some of what you will get to do: 

• Manage and lead daily functions in the Placement Exception Facilities. 
• Model trauma-informed approach in working with all youth.
• Teach, guide, mentor, coach, consult, and provide on-the-job training to Social Service Specialists. 
• Ensure youth are receiving access to education, proper nutrition, and activities. 
• Ensure proper documentation of daily events regarding youth and programming.
• Assist staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork. 
• Supervise youth with mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
• Monitor, store, document and administer medication as prescribed by youth clinician.
• Ensure proper implementation of Right Response 4 techniques to prevent, de-escalate, and respond to challenging behaviors exhibited by youth. 
• Document and report incidents, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy. 
• Complete annual staff performance evaluations, and identify training needs. 
• Provide coverage in the absence of a Social Service Supervisor and Social Service Specialists; fill in as Supervisor in the supervisor’s absence.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:   
Seven (7) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter college credits in a Social Service discipline.
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 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.
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 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 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 in a professional work setting, which may include experience in a juvenile rehabilitation institution/facility.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to initial appointment with the agency, incumbent must successfully complete a background check.
• Incumbent must hold a valid driver's license when operating a state or privately-owned vehicle on official state business.
• Incumbent must attend all mandatory DCYF training including Social Service Specialists Academy Training Institute and CHET-specific training requirements within twelve months of initial appointment. 
• Incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law and policy and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
• Incumbent must have and maintain a Washington State Food Handler’s Permit within 14 days of initial appointment.

 
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Previous Child Welfare experience in CPS, CFWS, Adoptions, Permanency, Afterhours, or related. 
• Previous experience working with and supervising youth with complex mental health, developmental, or behavioral needs. 
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and experience delivering services accordingly. 
• Previously demonstrated experience providing guidance, support, and structure to Social Service Specialists.  
• Previously demonstrated experience using the Safety Framework and utilizing trauma-informed care. 
• Previously demonstrated ability to maintain timely FamLink documentation within program and manual standards, accountability requirements, and the agency’s documentation expectations to ensure quality of practice and consistency of service delivery to children and families statewide.

How do I apply? 
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and education and attach the following: 

• Transcripts (unofficial copy is acceptable for application)
• Resume
• Cover Letter

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: https://wfse.org/ 

 

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- Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

 

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter.  If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960. 

2025-01032