FVS Social Service Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - Bremerton

Family Voluntary Services (FVS) - Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3)

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

Job Title: Family Voluntary Services (FVS) - Social Service Specialist 2-3 In-Training (SSS3)

Location: Bremerton, WA - Region 5

This full-time, permanent position requires time in the field and office. Travel is a requirement of this position. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, travel with clients as cases require, and travel to attend trainings and meetings in other locations.

Salary: $64,776 - $91,464 annually. This position 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.

The Opportunity: The Child Protective Services (CPS) unit investigates allegations of child abuse or neglect and provides appropriate recommendations and services for families. This position performs advanced-level work in the assessment of families referred to FVS through CPS Investigations with a primary focus on child safety. The (FVS) Family Voluntary Specialist provides services to a caseload of families, allowing parents to voluntarily engage in services to increase their protective capacities and meet the child's safety, health, and well-being needs. In this role, you will evaluate family situations, interview children and families, assess child safety and risk, develop plans to protect children, offer services to keep children safely in the home, and provide advanced-level specialized case management in high-profile complex cases.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Provide case-specific assessments and ongoing assessments of safety, danger, and risk.
• Assess resource needs of children, birth parents, and caregivers, and provide stabilization supports.
• Refer, coordinate, and monitor delivery of services.
• Provide goal-directed, task-centered, and time-limited crisis intervention to children and families.
• Utilize shared planning activities to develop and coordinate collaborative case plans.
• Determine resources available for placement of the child.
• Identify and develop appropriate permanent plans and implement concurrent planning.
• Provide reasonable or active efforts to parents and ensure early and prompt referrals.
• Utilize SACWIS/CCWIS to document case activities, maintain case records, and initiate payments for placement and services.
• Prepare and file dependency petitions, guardianship petitions, and other legal documents.
• Prepare written and informed reports to the court on dependency matters and make appropriate recommendations.
• Consult with attorneys and court-appointed personnel.
• Serve summonses to parties for court hearings and explain court process to parents and children.
• Attend court hearings and provide testimony in court.
• Produce discovery.

Required Qualifications:

Social Service Specialist 2: Five (5) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. 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 a completed practicum. 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 One (1) year of paid social service experience. OR One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Social Service Specialist 3: Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. 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 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. 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* 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 2.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

*For the SSS3 level: 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:

• Prior public child welfare experience.
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work with a completed practicum.
• Prior case management experience with mandatory clients.
• Professional experience working with clients who have mental health problems, substance use disorder, developmental delays, or criminal behaviors.
• Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge of child welfare laws, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
• Knowledge and familiarity with local community services and resources.
• Prior experience displaying critical thinking skills and the use of shared decision-making.
• Strong skills in time management and organization, and the ability to develop independent systems to manage large workloads.
• Ability to make critical decisions, based on integration of information from multiple sources that may be discrepant, in high-stress situations.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Experience researching, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
• Able to partner effectively with clients, caregivers, colleagues, and other professionals.
• Prior experience using FamLink case management system and documenting casework information within timeframes.
• Familiarity with agency's software programs, which include Outlook and SACWIS/CCWIS.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Transcripts (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)
• Cover Letter
• Current resume detailing experience and education.