DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 3

DSHS HCLA – Social Service Specialist 3 The Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring for a dedicated Social Service Specialist to join our team in Spokane, WA. Description This role supports functions independently and assures that clients receive appropriate quality services that meet their individual needs and recognizes their capabilities and choices through timely and responsive assessment, service delivery and reassessment and case management. This position plans, promotes, develops and provides long-term care services that are responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly with priority attention to low-income individuals and families. This position conducts face to face comprehensive assessment and reassessments at the client’s residence (in-home, hospital, nursing home, residential facility etc.) using a laptop computer to determine clients’ level of care, including determining nursing facility level of care needs. This position develops initial and on-going care plans that provide the support necessary to allow clients to remain in or return to their community. This position assesses and provides case management to adults at high risk of institutionalization or to those adults whose need for case management is part of a service plan developed following an adult protective service investigation. Some Of What You'll Do Conduct and complete face-to-face comprehensive assessments and reassessments of the clients in various settings, including private homes, adult family homes, hospitals, or other facilities, using a state-provided computerized system Provide case management services to clients meeting criteria set forth in Aging & Disability Services Long Term Care manuals and policies Make referrals to other community resources Consult and staff cases with supervisor File care documents, draft letters and respond to administrative request for reports or constituent responses Refer to the Community Nurse Consultant on Skin Observation Protocols (SPO's) and Critical indicators when triggered, as per ADSA protocol. Consult with nurse as needed on complex medical issues/terminology Provide client advocacy as well as consultation, networking, family support and crisis intervention. Coordinate with families, facilities, local office staff and other regional offices and community agencies regarding the needs of clients served Take part in case staffing meetings; including A-Team and case coordination meetings which may include internal and external stakeholders Other duties as assigned What We're Looking For Minimum one year of experience in a mental health or behavioral health setting or providing direct services with mental health conditions Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to work effectively with clients, peers, management, the public, and interpreters Ability to prioritize and organize workload according to office policy, timeframes, and workload expectations Ability to reprioritize assignments as necessary to meet emergencies and/or provide unit coverage Skill and ability to independently resolve complaints, inquiries and client/customer service problems while maintaining appropriate confidentiality Skill and ability to provide agency interpretation of laws, regulations, and processes Possess word processing and data input (keyboarding) skills, with the ability to use various computer software applications and learn new programs Skill and ability to operate various office equipment/machines (fax, keyboard, scanner, printer, etc.) and perform a variety of clerical tasks/duties Ability to work independently and make independent decisions Ability to learn or possess knowledge of DSHS policies, rules and laws Who should apply? We Are Looking For Professionals With One year as a Social Service Specialist 2 A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2 A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. NOTE: A two year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment. NOTE: Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and/or adults and providing direct family-centered practice services. NOTE: Equivalent education/experience. Company Culture The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security. Supplemental Information Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io. Relationship and Reporting Structure (NEpotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. More than Just a Paycheck! 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. 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. 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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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. 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 Parental Leave 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Washington