Description

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. 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."

ICW Active Efforts Specialists are responsible for making reasonable efforts to reach tribal family members throughout the duration of a case prior to removing a child. This requirement is mandated under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Washington Indian Child Welfare Act (WICWA). Our team is comprised of culturally competent individuals who focus on respecting the strengths of clients, including heritage, beliefs, and values.

The Opportunity: ICW Active Efforts Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Our DCYF Shelton office located in Region 6, is looking for an Indian Child Welfare - Active Efforts Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3). In this role you will be responsible for applying child welfare practice principles, laws, rules and policies when assessing and intervening on assigned cases to assess child safety and family capacity to provide for child safety; take protective action as needed; enhance parental capacities to safely care for their children, plan for permanent living arrangements for children and assure children's health and education needs are met. This position will focus on building collaborative working relationships with identified tribal partners and will have primary assignments and/or be co-assigned to CPS, CFWS, and/or FVS cases to provide social services to Native American Families, which requires the interpretation, understanding, and application of the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, and the Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act of 1987.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Meet and interview children, parents, Indian custodians, extended family, and any professional collaterals working with a family.
• Consult and collaborate with the child’s tribe.
• Review child protective services and child welfare history, criminal records, and other applicable documents.
• Identify safety threats that are imminent, short-term or long-term risks that may occur in a family.
• Attempt to reach parents at all contact numbers and addresses on file, seek out relatives, and system of parents of assistance. Contact tribe and parent’s service providers for assistance if needed, and utilize parent locator when parents cannot be found.
• Assess family history and support system by inquiring parents if the history of trauma exists and if trauma triggers are present.
• Ensure parent providers are aware of parent trauma history/triggers by providing collateral information.
• Inquire parents and family members about cultural backgrounds and what cultural involvement means to the family.
• Consult with tribes to identify cultural activities/supports for parents.
• Assess and address barriers to engagement in services and service referrals.
• Seek consultation from parents to determine which providers to refer to, offer support by making calls with parents, and help remove other barriers that may occur.
  Assess a family’s access to safe, reliable transportation and help address challenges.
• Assess a family’s access to a reliable address and forms of communication, and help obtain access.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, AND three years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, AND two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).

NOTE: One year of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

NOTE: Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution.

In addition to those required qualifications, an ideal candidate will have all or some of the following:

• Prior public child welfare experience and experience working with tribes and/or Native American families.
• Previously demonstrated case management experience with mandatory clients.
• Previously demonstrated experience working in fast-paced, high-stress environments.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Previously demonstrated professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behavior.
• Previously demonstrated ability to successfully manage competing priorities.
• Previously demonstrated strong skills in time management and organization and the ability to develop independent systems to manage a large workload.
• Previously demonstrated ability to make critical decisions, based on the integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Previously demonstrated ability to engage children and families under difficult circumstances, to gather information to make accurate and precise decisions.

How do I apply?
Complete your full applicant profile with your work history and highest education details, and include a copy of your college transcripts. Resumes and cover letters are not required but are recommended.

Supplemental Information:

**Per Governor Inslee's Directive 22-13.1 (Download PDF reader) 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 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.

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 on-line? Contact the Recruitment team at dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov 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.

To take advantage of the 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 it.

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