Permanency Lead (SHPC4) - Tacoma

About the Department

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Permanency Lead (SHPC4)
Location: Tacoma, WA - Region 5.  Travel for training or to attend meetings and conferences may be necessary. Incumbent must be able to travel to regional and statewide meetings, as well as other partnership meetings within the region, to support program implementation and outcomes. A percentage of time is spent in the office or field work for training and coaching purposes.
Closes: 09/08/2026
Salary: $78,504 - $105,612. Annually.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is looking for a Permanency Lead (SHPC4) for this brand-new and exciting position in Child Welfare. Within the Region 5 Programs Division of DCYF, this position is a critical lead role for the region’s internal professional staff (Case workers, supervisors, area administrators, program managers, and regional administrator) and external professional staff (Contracted providers, community partners, and court partners) in the development/design, implementation, and monitoring of the statewide Child Welfare Field Operations Program. This includes the development, interpretation, and implementation of policy, procedures, quality assurance, and improvement plans for the effective delivery of Child Welfare Field Operations Services. 

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity:
This position serves as the designated specialist for Permanency, Guardianship, and Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) subsidy including monitoring of staff and staff processes to ensure state and federal policies and regulations are being met. This position is responsible for being the liaison between field staff and the HQ GAP Specialist. This position is responsible for ensuring GAP Agreements are being met post-dependency, supporting caregivers and staff in the appeals process for denied GAP Agreements. The Permanency Lead is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of practices and programs that assist region-wide offices with needed services to support positive outcomes for children and families involved with the child welfare system, removing barriers to achieve permanency. This includes but is not limited to training and oversight of the Guardianship Approval Process, GAP eligibility and payment, review of FamLink reports around permanency. This position also supports field staff offices in understanding and explaining permanent options for children in care and attends shared planning meetings and other internal staffings to support staff in identifying appropriate permanent plans and next steps for youth in care. This position is a liaison between DCYF staff and the Foster Care Assessment Program to further support permanency and placement. This position is responsible for the integration of Permanency with Child Welfare Field Operations’ clinical framework for practice, Safety Framework, Family Assessment Response, and other Child Welfare Field Operations initiatives.


Some of what you will get to do:

• Provides clinical consultation with Social Service Specialists, Supervisors, and Area Administrators on permanency plans for youth including working knowledge around permanency policy and practice 
• Reviews current practices in the region and develops methods to increase permanency planning. 
• Attends permanency planning staffings and shared planning meetings. 
• Provides technical support, consultation, training, policy interpretation, and direction to agency staff, community, provider partners, and other parties related to permanency goals, efforts, barriers, and achievements.
• Works with regional leadership, statewide leadership, and statewide peers to design & develop statewide policies, procedures, rules, and regulations for the delivery of permanency best practices by staff and providers.
• Collects, manages, and analyzes data, statutes, and policy.
• Provides technical support, consultation, policy interpretation, direction, and oversight to agency staff, contracted providers, community, and others. 
• Reviews current practices in the region and develops methods to increase guardianship and the Guardianship Assistance Program.
• Works with staff and case partners to educate, train, consult, and implement our current GAP policy. 
• Participates in statewide meetings as it pertains to permanency.
• Monitors and tracks the Guardianship checklist through the completion and finalization of a Guardianship to ensure adherence to state and federal regulations.
• Serves as the FCAP lead and content expert on the FCAP program. 
• Collaborates with peers across the state to ensure consistent utilization of the FCAP program and collaborates with contracted providers to ensure best practices. 
• Acts as the regional FCAP gatekeeper by ensuring training of the program across the region with staff, regional leadership, and community partners.
• Participates in quality practice duties both in review and in consultation with direct line staff and provides training. 

Required Qualifications:
One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 (SHPC3) or equivalent.
OR
Three years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 (SHPC2) or equivalent.
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND five (5) years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
A Master's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
Equivalent professional experience totaling nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services.
AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

NOTE: A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 
NOTE: Employees must successfully complete formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment. 

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

• Demonstrated expertise in Permanency and understanding of permanent plans
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal and state child welfare laws and regulations, department and state fiscal policy and procedures, agency values and mission. Demonstrated knowledge in DCYF Child Welfare Field Operations performance improvement plans, statewide policies and procedures to maintain program consistency, best practice initiatives, and strength-based family practices in addition to cooperatively developed protocols. 
• Demonstrated knowledge or working understanding of safety and risk assessment, family preservation, principles of family-centered and child-focused practice, and strategies for family engagement, along with expertise in building relationships with clients, staff, and community leaders and modeling, including at least 2 years’ experience of assessing risk and safety, providing direct interventions and services to children and families served through the public child welfare system.
• Demonstrated ability to impart knowledge, teach, coach, and support individual learning/understanding of data. 
• Demonstrated facilitation and group process skills. 
• Demonstrated leadership skills. 
• Demonstrated skills and experience in using Microsoft applications, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Access, OneNote, and other applications. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of FamLink, service codes, case notes, and documentation practice. 
• Demonstrated ability to engage with providers and community partners to build connections and partnerships within serviced communities. 
• Demonstrated group leadership skills, communication skills, and strong clinical assessment skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to accurately inform staff, community, and external partners. 
• Demonstrated ability to train and mentor/coach others.

How do I apply? 
In addition to completing the online application, please attach the following:

• Cover letter
• 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.
 
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.

The incumbent must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual in-service and other required training.

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.

2026-07208

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