Social Worker or Social Services Specialist for Dependent Children & Youth

Salary: $85,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location : Spokane County - Spokane, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04613
Department: Office of Civil Legal Aid
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 7/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Position: Social Worker or Social Services Specialist for Dependent Children & Youth


Agency: Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid

Job Type: Contract (Currently funded through June 30, 2027. Contract may be extended based on agency need and funding availability.)

Compensation: $85,000-90,000 annually, DOQ

Location: Central or Eastern WA

Opening Date: 06-05-2026

Priority Date: 07-01-2026

BENEFITS INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS

Overview

The Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent judicial branch state agency. OCLA administers the statewide (CRP). The CRP underwrites and oversees the delivery of effective, standards-based and equity-informed representation for children and youth for whom attorneys are appointed under state law.

Duties
The CRP is seeking an exceptional contract Social Worker or Social Service Specialist. The contracted caseload for this position is 160 hours per month plus reimbursement for travel expenses and a small stipend for concrete goods. The Social Worker or Social Services Specialist will work with a panel of attorneys across Central and Eastern Washington to provide social service support to children and youth involved in dependency proceedings. Specific duties may include:

• Identifying age- and culturally appropriate substance use treatment and supports
• Identifying age- and culturally appropriate mental health treatment and other behavioral health supports
• Supporting family reunification efforts
• Coaching or assisting attorneys in having trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate conversations with children and youth on sensitive topics
• Supporting youth and their attorneys for youth who are "missing from care"
• Supporting youth and their attorneys for youth who are or are suspected to be commercially sexually exploited
• Connecting youth with necessary community supports and services, including older youth and young adults (18-21) who are working towards independent living

Travel

The Social Worker or Social Services Specialist will travel to have in-person contact with the youth and attorneys they support. Contractors are eligible for reimbursement for mileage, lodging, and incidental expenses incurred during the course of case-related travel at government reimbursement rates.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, sociology, psychology, human services, or related field or sufficient relevant professional experience
• Commitment to rendering culturally competent, trauma-informed support to children and youth involved in the child welfare system
• Strong foundational knowledge of child development and the impacts of trauma on child development

Desired Qualifications

• Experience working with children or adults with substance use disorder or impacted by substance use disorder, particularly opioids and high-potency synthetic opioids
• Experience working with children and youth involved in the child welfare system
• Experience working with children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Strong crisis intervention and assessment skills
• Experience working directly with attorneys or multidisciplinary teams that include legal professionals

Supplemental Information
Compensation

The compensation rate for a full-time contract is $85,000 - $90,000 annually, depending on qualifications. OCLA may offer one full-time contract (1.0 FTE) or multiple part-time contracts (anticipated at 0.5 FTE) based on agency needs and responses received.

This contract(s) is currently funded through June 30, 2027. Contracts may be extended for additional two-year terms in accordance with the State fiscal biennium based on agency need and funding availability. . Contracted compensation is intended to cover the Social Worker or Social Services Specialist's salary and any business operating expenses (e.g. rent, office supplies, etc.). OCLA will reimburse the costs associated with case-related travel and has a small pool of funds to provide for concrete goods.

How to Apply

BENEFITS INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT APPLY TO CONTRACTORS

Applications must be emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io and should include the subject heading: Statement of Interest - Social Worker or Social Services Specialist.

Submissions must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter explaining your interest in this position and your qualifications per the minimum and desired qualifications listed above
• A list of three (3) professional references

OCLA reserves the right to amend this Request for Qualifications and reserves the right to refrain from contracting with any and all applicants. This Request for Qualifications does not obligate the State of Washington or OCLA to contract for the services specified here.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

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.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

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.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
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.

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

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

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

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026