INTERNAL ONLY Central Intake Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Seattle

About the Department

Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.**

Job Title: Central Intake Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).
Location: Seattle, WA. - Region 4.  This position is full-time. The work schedule is: Swing Shift. Thursday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (40 hours). The assigned workstation is in the Seattle Pioneer Square/Stadium District. This is a telework position; however, staff must be able to travel to and work from the office as required. Mandatory monthly in-person unit meetings and occasional in-person training, unit retreats, and all-staff meetings will occur.
Closes: 08/26/2026
Salary: $69,348 - $93,288 Annually. The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees.
 
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 to join our Central Intake Office in Seattle. If you have Child Welfare experience and thrive with critical thinking and shared decision-making, we encourage you to apply!
 
Click here to learn more about DCYF.  



 
The Opportunity:

This position is responsible for performing assessments and responding to telephone and written reports of abuse, neglect, and other child welfare service requests. In this role, you will gather information and perform risk and safety assessments to screen cases and refer families to appropriate services.  Within DCYF Field Operations, the Central Intake unit operates 24/7 and provides services to Region 4 during weekday/non-holiday hours and statewide at all other times. This position provides intake services for multiple programs such as Child Protective Services (CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), and Family Voluntary Services (FVS).   You will also work with the Licensing Division (LD) regarding complaints/infractions, provide crisis call management to assist callers for the End-Harm Line, and process ICPC/ICAMA requests.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Document and process reports of child abuse and neglect and service requests from any source and produce complete work product within established timeframes.
• Interview referrers and document information received, including asking clarifying questions; obtain details; assess the information provided. 
• Conduct thorough data searches including but not limited to DAPS, ACES, DOH/WHALES, SCOMIS, SEMS, FORS, BARCODE, Client Registry, RSO websites, reverse address/phone numbers to obtain additional pertinent information, to assist in assessing risk and protective factors and determining screening decisions.
• Conduct thorough FamLink searches including persons involved, history, findings, assessments, case notes, case activity, placement history, facility complaints, children currently in a foster home (for DLR intakes).
• Consult with supervisor on all intakes regarding children requiring emergent response due to current threats of danger and risk of imminent harm.
• Create Intake/Case Notes to the appropriate program and document all pertinent information.
• Seek and update the most recent address and demographic information and update person cards in FamLink as new information becomes available. 
• Seek and document the legal status of all children involved.
• Develop resources directly associated with job functions, such as information and referrals to community resources.
• Report fatalities, near fatalities, serious incidents, and employee-related reports to a supervisor and assist in completing critical incident reports (AIRS).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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 a 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 a 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 year as a Social Service Specialist 2.
AND
The ability to take action to learn and grow and meet the needs of others.

*Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Previously demonstrated ability to use and knowledge of FamLink standards and requirements. 
• Previous demonstrated work experience displaying the ability to evaluate, analyze, and assess risk and safety in all cases as defined by law and best practice and implement appropriate procedures using the agency-preferred risk and safety assessment tools. 
• Previous demonstrated work experience displaying the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply applicable laws, rules, and policies on delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State and deliver services accordingly. 
• Completed Master's Degree in Social Work and have case management experience. 
• Previous experience in Child Welfare, such as: CPS, FAR, FRS, FVS, CFWS, Permanency/Adoptions. 
• Experience assessing risk and safety regarding child abuse and neglect concerns or developing safety and service plans with families.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the local community and resources.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on child protective and child welfare services.
• Experience with FamLink and documentation requirements.

How do I apply? 

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: 

•  Transcripts (An unofficial copy of transcripts is acceptable for application submission. )  
•  Cover Letter  
•  Current Resume 

Supplemental 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 goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.  If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
 
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, 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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter.   If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.          

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).  If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the Social Security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

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 their first day of employment.

2026-06831