Apply on Employer Site

NEOGOV · 1 day ago

Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) Seattle

King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

Full-time

Hybrid

Mid, Senior Level

$68K/yr - $91K/yr

6+ years exp

NEOGOV is seeking a Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) to work within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Licensing Division. The role involves supporting families and evaluating kinship and community foster care caregivers, ensuring children in care maintain cultural connections while meeting casework management directives.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Perform assessments through intensive interview and information gathering process to complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement, and/or adoptive placement and/or community foster home licensing based on compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

Provide consultation to the applicants, refer to services or training, and provide support throughout the home study and/or licensing process

Produce written assessments that accurately and clearly describe the potential caregivers' family history and include a discussion of their strengths and limitations in the recommendation of approval/denial of the home study using clinical skills

Assist caregivers to overcome barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children or to become licensed

Perform in-person/on-site physical inspections of all areas of the home, outbuildings and surrounding premises

Review completed background checks, collateral information, waivers and disqualifications

Provide technical assistance and interpretation of policy and statute governing licensing functions and assist caregivers in becoming licensed or certified

Make timely notification of foster home licensure to other staff, including Placement Coordinators, Targeted Recruitment Specialists, contracted providers and other administrations, as appropriate

Work collaboratively with the Child Welfare program, DCYF divisions and other administrations to maintain communication to preserve safe and stable placements in the home during the home study process

When working in the field, complete physical facility inspections, interview caregivers or potential applicants and household members. Interview verbal children, observing caregiver/child interactions when children are non-verbal, and work with other professionals as needed to achieve the goal of safe and healthy home placements for children

Partner with other LD programs as they investigate allegations of CA/N or WAC violations and provide technical assistance/resources and support for foster parents

Provide testimony and declarations at administrative hearings and other court proceedings related to written home studies and licensing action

Qualification

Social service experienceFamily Home StudiesRisk assessmentWACRCWTechnical assistanceCultural competencyMS Office proficiencyCommunication skills

Required

Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline

One (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 2

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

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

The ability to take action to learn and grow

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others

Paid social service experience* must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services

Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment

This position requires a minimum of at least two (2) years driving experience and a valid driver's license

Incumbent must complete Social Service Specialist Training Academy Institute, as well as specialized licensing track training within one (1) year of initial appointment

Preferred

Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with diverse populations

Demonstrated solid working foundation and understanding of agency policies, WAC, and RCW related to licensing foster homes

Demonstrated program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children

Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position

Ability to travel frequently within the position's region

Demonstrated skills in the use of MS Office (Word and Outlook) and Department databases

Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.

Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program.

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems.

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month.

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165.

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave.

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay