LD/CPS Lead Investigator | Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) – Tumwater

Job Description

Job Ttitle: LD/CPS Lead Investigator | Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) – Tumwater

Company: Washington State


Description: DescriptionOur vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community.”Job Title: LD/CPS Lead Investigator | Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) Location: Tumwater, WA – This position serves both Region 5 and 6 with an office location in Region 6 but is primarily remote.
Closes: Monday, July 28th, 2025
Salary: $6,107 – $8,210 MonthlyWe’re looking for a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to support the mission of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to “protect children and strengthen families so they flourish.” This position functions as a lead worker over Social Service Specialist staff who provide professional level social services to clients involved with Child Protective Services Investigations. This position receives minimal supervision and serves as a lead position over Social Service Specialists 2’s and 3’s and acts in the absence of the supervisor.The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.The Opportunity:
As a License Division Child Protective Service Investigator (SSS4) you serve both Regions 5 and 6 and provide coaching, mentoring, on the job training and assistance in the transition of staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. You will assign work, conduct case reviews, conduct on-the-job training, establish and maintain procedures for efficient workflow, act as unit supervisor in absence of the supervisor, including attendance at meetings, facilitation of meetings, case staffing’s and decision making.This position utilizes cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with staff, clients and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.Some of what you will get to do:

• Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff in Child Protective Services Investigations.
• Conduct on-the-job training and assistance with staff.
• Provide social services professional staff with guidance and direction.
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assign work, review work for efficacy, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy.
• Responsible for reporting on strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor, providing feedback for annual performance evaluations, and identifying training needs.
• Provide coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a social service specialist.
• In the supervisor’s absence, attend meetings and provide supervisory coverage.
• Investigate and or assess assigned referrals of child abuse, neglect or sexual molestation including interviewing child, family members, and collateral sources to determine the facts of the case.
• Complete tasks through driving to visit the homes of children, parents and caregivers, community meetings, shared planning meetings, court, hospital, jail, cooperative activities with law enforcement, etc.
• Provide ongoing assessment of safety and risk using the Child Safety Framework and Structured Decision Making Tool Risk Assessment; assess resource needs of children, parents, and other caregivers and provide stabilization supports.
• Write letters, prepare court petitions and court reports, social summaries, case notes, safety assessments/plans, investigative assessments.
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. Coordinate with AAG office attorneys.

Required Qualifications:

• Seven (7) years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

• One (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

• Three (3) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or bachelor’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs

OR

• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or master’s degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service 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

AND

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.

NOTE: A two-year master’s degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel) and data input (keyboarding) skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to complete investigations/assessments in the homes and residences of individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate through oral and written forms of communication, with management, peers, clients, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend and follow oral and written directives/instructions.
• Demonstrated ability and skill to interview utilizing an interpreter or those with a mental or physical impairment/disability.
• Demonstrated ability to compose professionally cogent and grammatically correct letters.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts or complaints between persons and groups with diverse personalities and differing goals.
• Ability to de-escalate and diffuse potential crisis situations.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize workload and assist others in managing cases.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and evaluate social dynamics affecting client choice and decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to independently assess situations and utilize good professional independent judgment.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to diffuse sometimes hostile situations and make decisions regarding personal safety.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to evaluate a crisis situation and/or complex case issue and staff with appropriate authority to avoid potential liability and/or negative outcomes.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to use a computer and software applications and learn new programs (e.g. agency databases, and perform Internet searches).
• Demonstrated ability to maintain and update records and file case documents.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to determine whether a reported allegation meets the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) definition of abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Resume (current/updated) detailing experience and education

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 mission 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 position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: .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 requires a minimum of at least two (2) years driving experience and a valid driver’s license.This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, .If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at . If you’re experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email .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) 664-1960.2025-04894

Salary: $6107 – 8210 per month

Location: Thurston County, WA – Tumwater, WA

Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2025 07:41:32 GMT


Read More…