After Hours On-Call Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Region 4/Kent

State of Washington
State of Washington

Kent County, MI, USA

USD 31.02-43.8 / hour

Posted on Jun 12, 2026

Description

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".


ATTENTION: This announcement will be used to generate a candidate pool for 2026 to fill ON-CALL AFTERHOURS vacancies within Region 4. If you have already applied, no need to reapply; your application status remains unchanged. We currently have six on-call vacancies.


Job Title: ON-CALL After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3).
Locations: Kent, WA - Region 4. Region Map. The After-Hours Unit is located in Kent and provides coverage to the entire area of DCYF Region 4, King County. This position requires time in the field and in the office. Transportation and travel with infants, toddlers, teens, and young adults are part of this job.
Job Type: On-Call.
Hourly: $31.02 - $43.80. King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. These positions may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children. The salary listed does not include the 2% general wage increase effective July 1, 2026.
Review Date: Applications are reviewed regularly.

DCYF is seeking After-Hours Social Service Specialists at the 2-3 levels to work on-call and provide advanced-level specialized case management in our Region 4 After-Hours Unit. This opportunity is a great way to gain additional child welfare experience, supplement your income, and/or advance your career in social services. Apply today!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
We're hiring Social Service Specialists 3s or Social Service Specialists 2s "in-training" to work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays. As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 4 during non-business hours. After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during the times DCYF offices are closed. Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists. The number of hours worked per week will vary depending on the number of calls received and the number of days you are available to work. The Afterhours Social Service Specialist is responsible for meeting all casework management directives as required by law, policy, and other mandates.

Some of what you will get to do:
  • Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.
  • Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK.
  • Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.
  • Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts, and monthly Health and Safety visits.
  • Observe and document the physical condition, living environment, and behaviors of children.
  • Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child's physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
  • Respond to Protective Custody inquiries and partner with law enforcement when needed.
  • Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children either in their own homes or out-of-home care through the intervention of the court system.
  • Supervise youth after hours when placement efforts are ongoing or when placement is unable to locate a safe, appropriate placement.
  • Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
  • Utilize the Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) Screens.
  • Maintain case records, required forms, and reports.
  • Transport children/youth to placements, school, respite, etc.
  • Attend and testify in court; respond to subpoenas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Social Service Specialist 2:
Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
A Master's degree in social services, human services, or behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND a completed practicum.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Bachelor’s degree that 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 (SSS1).
AND
  1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Social Service Specialist 3:
Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*.
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*.
OR
One year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).
AND
  1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  2. 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of addiction, treatment, relapse prevention, and recovery principles, and/or experience working with individuals with substance use disorder.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build consensus with families, community partners, and professionals around difficult or sensitive topics.
  • Experience assessing risk and safety concerning child abuse and neglect or developing safety or service plans with families.
  • Ability to organize information to meet FAMLINK documentation requirements.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile with your full work history and education details, and complete the supplemental questions as accurately as possible. Please attach a copy of your college transcripts to confirm the required courses. Incomplete applications may be screened out of the recruitment process.

Attach the following:

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

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

Incumbent must attend all mandatory DCYF training, including After-Hours CORE Training provided by the Alliance and other training as needed within one year of initial employment.

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. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.


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).

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 support@neogov.com. 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.


Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please black out (redact) the Social Security Number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans' Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

2026-04647

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