Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Vancouver

Job Title: Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) Location: Vancouver, WA – hybrid schedule including in‑person office, telework, field work, home visits, and occasional travel within Region 6. Salary: $69,348 – $93,288 annually Closing Date: Sunday, July 19th, 2026 Overview The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks a dedicated Social Service Specialist for its Kinship Licensing team in Vancouver, Washington. This role supports a kin‑first approach to maintain children’s family, cultural, and community connections while providing specialized case management and licensing services. Key Responsibilities Perform advanced case management for complex or high‑profile kinship cases; assess caregiver strengths, challenges, family history, parenting capacity, and trauma‑related experiences. Conduct comprehensive kinship licensing assessments, including interviews, home evaluations, and documentation review, to support licensing recommendations. Maintain accurate written assessments, ensuring compliance with the Revised Code of Washington and Washington Administrative Code. Assist caregivers in overcoming barriers to licensing and renewal, including background checks, collateral information, and health & safety inspections. Monitor licensed kinship homes, process renewals, amendments, and changes, and communicate licensing requirements to stakeholders. Provide customer service to caregivers, child welfare staff, Tribal partners, and other DCYF programs. Collaborate with child welfare and community partners to preserve safe placements and support positive outcomes. Participate in investigations of alleged abuse or neglect, conduct home inspections, and provide technical assistance to caregivers. Represent DCYF in licensing actions, preparing declarations and providing testimony at hearings and court proceedings. Maintain accurate provider records in department databases, adhering to agency policies and documentation standards. Perform related duties as needed to support the Kinship Licensing team. Required Qualifications Six (6) years of paid social service experience and 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. Or a Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, human services, or related field with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline, plus at least two (2) years of paid social service experience in planning, administering, or delivering public child welfare or related programs. Or a Master’s degree in Social Services or related field with 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline, plus at least one (1) year of paid social service experience in planning, administering, or delivering public child welfare or related programs. Or one (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2). Ability to learn and grow. Ability 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 Qualifications Experience working with diverse populations. Solid understanding of agency policies, WAC, and RCW related to licensing kinship homes. Program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory role for child‑care facilities. Clear verbal and written communication skills with management, peers, clients, and the public. Willingness to travel frequently within the region. Proficiency in MS Office (Word and Outlook) and department databases. Additional Requirements Valid driver’s license and minimum two (2) years of driving experience. Must successfully complete all required training within required timeframes. Background check for criminal history will be conducted prior to hire. Degrees must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent; foreign equivalency certification required for outside‑U.S. degrees. Information from background checks may inform suitability for the position. EEO Statement 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, veteran status, or disability. Veteran’s Preference Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference must attach a copy of their DD‑214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to the End of Term of Service) and blackout their social security number before submitting. Veterans must provide official discharge documentation within 30 days of discharging. DCYF participates in the federal E‑Verify program; selected candidates must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States on their first day of employment. Job ID: 2026‑05564 #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Washington Dept of Children, Youth, and Families