Social Worker

Salary: $62,723.70 - $118,226.55 Annually
Location : Clark County - Vancouver, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-04282
Department: Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth
Division: Academic
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 6/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Social Worker

Full-Time/Permanent

Vancouver, WA
The agency is striving to fill this position by August 1, 2026 for the 2026/27 school year.
This recruitment will tentatively close on June 30, 2026. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible. Applicant materials are reviewed weekly.
Our Agency: The Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) is an educational community and statewide resource committed to ensuring all deaf and hard of hearing students in Washington reach their full potential. Our agency offers a variety of services including academic, residential, outreach services, and professional development. CDHY celebrates all language experiences and deaf culture. We are committed to providing the best individualized learning experience for all students we serve. Washington School for the Deaf is the campus school for the Center and offers educational programming for preschool through age 21 in Vancouver, WA.
Our Staff: Our employees are more than just workers. They are part of a community, network, and family. Each staff member serves as a role model to students. We're looking for people that can contribute, grow, think, and dream. We thrive in a culture that embraces diversity and rewards imagination. CDHY is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion! Our agency strives to create an inclusive and diverse learning community with emphasis on access, success, and equity by recruiting, retaining, and ensuring the success of diverse students, faculty, and staff. CDHY aims to build a community that values and respects one another by providing the best learning environment for faculty, staff, and student success.

Duties

• Assist families to understand their children's educational needs and resources available within the school.
• Help students and families overcome barriers to school attendance and achievement.
• Assist families to convey needs to school personnel and maintain open lines of communication.
• Create resource guidance documents and strategies for parental support related students' educational programming.
• Provide information to facilitate the family's use of community resources when necessary to meet human needs.
• Facilitates trainings for parents and families after regular work hours or on the weekends.
• Participate in professional development related to the student behavior, adjustment and academic progress.
• Consult with appropriate staff members about student's living situations and needs for resources.
• Promote family welfare efforts by establishing contacts with community organizations.
• Provide timely and relevant information to parents/guardians concerning school and district activities, operations, procedures to improve home/school communication.
• Make personal contacts through a variety of modalities (electronic, face-to-face, home visits, etc.) to encourage parental engagement.
• Researches, collects, organizes and coordinates resource materials and activities to facilitate parental involvement and engagement in their child's education, under the direction of the Director of Instruction.
• Assist in organization and participate in campus-based events.
• Maintain accurate records of activities, parent contact, service and participation, and results of efforts.
• Provides reporting regarding program efforts and outcomes.
• Advocate for student/family needs.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Develop relationships with organizations state-wide that can assist families in need.
• Attend weekly MTSS meetings.
• Attend DEAF sub-committee meetings.
• Works closely with the Assistant Principal.

Qualifications
Key Competencies:

• Ability to assist families in crisis using de-escalation strategies, effective communication skills and honesty.
• Ability to make decisions and manage workloads in a face-paced environment.
• Ability to maintain effective professional relationships with students, families, employees and various stakeholders.
• Must be able to independently use various software programs and technology to include Microsoft Office products, Zoom and Teams teleconferencing platforms, GoogleDocs, and Videophone.
• Must be willing and able to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Must be willing and able to work with students ages Pre-K to 22 years of age.
• Must be able to accept and process feedback for change efforts
• Must demonstrate a solution-focus approach to work duties

Required Qualifications:

• ESA Certification or ability to obtain ESA certification prior to beginning work.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work.
• Must be able to communicate using written English.
• Must be able to communicate fluently using American Sign Language.
• At least 3 years working within an educational or social service environment, providing service and advocacy to people in need.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Social Work.
• Experience working with with deaf/hard of hearing children, adults, and/or families in an educational or community environment is strongly preferred.

Supplemental Information
CDHY is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The candidate selected for this position will be required to pass federal and state criminal background screening.


This position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).


This position is eligible for full benefits (medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life insurance and retirement).


Please provide your resume, cover letter and at least 2 professional references.

Remote/Telework options are not available for this position.


Salary Information:
Certificated employees are paid in accordance with the Vancouver Public Schools Salary scale.
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
01


Are you able to communicate fluently in American Sign Language?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you able to communicate fluently in written English?

• Yes
• No

03


What is your preferred language?

• American Sign Language
• English
• Other

04


Do you have a Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Work?

• Yes
• No

05


Are you able to obtain ESA certification in Washington State? (Note: Please visit if unsure)

• Yes
• No

06


Describe your qualifications for the position you're applying for and be specific about your educational background and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the particular position.
07


Are you able to successfully pass state and federal background checks?

• Yes
• No

08


If offered the position with CDHY, are you able and willing to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect?

• Yes
• No

Required Question