CPS/FAR Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5) - Tacoma

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: CPS/FAR Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5). Location: Tacoma, WA - Region 5. Position Type: Full-time, permanent. Requires time in field and office. This position may require travel within assigned areas, with clients, and to attend training and meetings in other locations. Closes: 07/21/2026 Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually. Assignment Pay: 10% assignment pay in addition to the base salary. Duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess safety of vulnerable children. Opportunity In this role, you will use strong assessment and engagement skills to supervise Social Service Specialists in the CPS/FAR unit. As a front‑line supervisor you will provide staff with advanced‑level guidance and specialized case‑management knowledge to achieve the agency’s goals of child protection, permanency planning, and enhancing child well‑being, ensuring child safety is at the forefront of all decision‑making. This supervisor reviews frontline employee work, determines if children are safe, intervenes to protect unsafe children, and develops case plans with families to remedy situations so families can safely parent their children. You will provide on‑the‑job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation, including field observations and modeling of case‑management skills and techniques. Responsibilities include clinical reviews, consultations, monitoring client cases, applying child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policies, and assessing and intervening in workloads when necessary. Key Responsibilities Supervise and mentor a unit of Social Service Specialists and complete casework. Provide mentoring, coaching, counseling, consultation, on-the-job training, and feedback. Manage and support Social Service Specialists in formal training plans during transition to field work. Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation. Ensure documentation of case activities in the case file and FamLink electronic record. Prepare written staff performance evaluations using the Performance Evaluation system. Consult with administrators and human resources regarding corrective or disciplinary action. Train staff to gather accurate and complete information, organize information, and make case decisions. Keep staff informed of policies, rules, and regulations affecting their work. Provide consultation and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework. Review and revise service referrals, letters, court reports, and assessments. Review case activities with parents and relatives to establish goals and identify services for the family. Initiate payments within FamLink for child placement and family services. Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate coverage for the office. Participate in supervisory, administrative, and individual meetings and conferences. Attend and testify in Superior Court. Required Qualifications Eight (8) years of paid social service experience *AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline. A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Master’s degree including 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience. A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any Bachelor’s degree including 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND four (4) years of paid social service experience. One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4). Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3). The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others. NOTE: A two‑year Master’s degree that includes a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience. *Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family‑centered practice services. Preferred Qualifications Prior public child welfare experience with mandatory clients. A Master’s Degree in Social Work. Previous case management experience working with children and families in child welfare programs (CPS, CFWS, Adoptions/Permanency, or Afterhours). Current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State. Experience implementing risk assessment in cases using the preferred risk assessment model and child safety framework. Experience using FamLink and maintaining FamLink documentation. How to Apply Complete the online application and attach the following documents: College transcripts (an unofficial copy is acceptable for application purposes). Cover letter. Resume. Additional Information The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but believe education or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. 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, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability. The incumbent must successfully complete Supervisor Core Training (SCT) within one year of initial appointment. Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will 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 the position. This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license. This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference must attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to end of term of service (ETS) by date of submission). Please black out the Social Security Number before attaching any documents. DCYF participates in the federal E‑Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E‑Verify requirements, on the first day of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Washington