Permanency/Adoptions Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) - Seattle/Rainier Valley

About the Department

Job Title: Permanency/Adoptions Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).
Location: Seattle/Rainer Valley, WA. - Region 4.  This permanent full-time position is in the Adoptions Unit, in Rainer Valley, MLK Jr. Office. This position requires time in the field and in the office, as well as flexibility for some remote work.  Transportation of children/youth is a part of this job. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, with clients as required by cases, and to attend training and meetings.
Closes: 11/08/2026
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 seeking a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) to provide case management services to clients and families in the Region 4 Permanency/Adoption Unit at the Rainier Valley, MLK Jr. Office. The Region 4 Permanency team is a seasoned, tight-knit team that provides a positive atmosphere. We finalize adoptions for youth who are legally free and recruit forever homes for youth who need one. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively and partner effectively with co-workers, supervisors, administration, families, relatives, and community partners to assess child safety and support children and families. We are seeking someone interested in working with youth, mostly adolescents with complex needs and who often need BRS-level placement. If you are passionate about permanency for children and have child welfare experience, apply today!
 
Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

 
The Opportunity:

In this role, you will be assigned a caseload of legally free youth and responsible for assisting youth in achieving permanency and exiting foster care by adoption, guardianship, EFC, or APPLA. This role ensures youth's health and education needs are met, identifies and removes barriers to permanency, provides recruitment for those who are not in permanent homes, and facilitates the finalization of permanent plans. This role is responsible for having expert knowledge of permanency plans, policy, and law as well as best practices for permanency planning, to provide expert consultation and collaborative support to field offices for legally free youth in care within Region 4. This position provides day-to-day case management services to legally free children that span a vast geographical area in Western Washington. This position advocates and seeks permanency for legally free children by working with various private child placing/adoption agencies, as well as Northwest Adoption Exchange (NWAE), to find permanent homes for children in the child welfare system. 

Some of what you will get to do:

• Ensure timely permanency outcomes for all children on their caseload with an emphasis on adoptions.
• Meet all casework management directives required by law, policy, and mandates.
• Provide ongoing case management, service, permanency planning, and crisis intervention. 
• Assess risk and safety; assess resource needs of the child, and provide placement, stabilization, and permanency supports.
• Help prepare and counsel children regarding permanent placement and adoption, and other potential permanent plans.
• Monitor the current placement and build a relationship with the child by conducting monthly health and safety visits.
• Utilize FamLink to document case activity and update case records.
• Consult with attorneys and court-appointed advocates, prepare court reports, and present testimony at court hearings. 
• Conduct Child/family health and safety visits. 
• Arrange/accommodate sibling visits when needed. 
• Meet documentation and payment initiation requirements for accurate and timely entries into Famlink.
• Provide highly skilled assessments of adoptive applications.

Required Qualifications: 

Social Service Specialist 3: 

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline. 

OR 

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND Two (2) years of paid social service experience*.

OR 

• Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience*.

 OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow and to 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:

• Completed a Master's Degree in Social Work and have case management experience working with children. 
• 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.
• Experience using computer software programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

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.
 
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 in the position.

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).

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

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.

2026-08904

Benefits

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 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.  

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
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

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov