After-Hours On-Call Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3) - Tacoma

Benefits

Our 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.

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

Job Title: After-Hours Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3). On-Call.

Location: Tacoma, WA. - Region 5.

Region Map

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This position requires time in the field and in the office.

Job Type: On-Call.

Closes: 10/12/2025

Salary: $31.02 - $43.80 Hourly.

These positions may receive 10% assignment pay when the incumbent reaches the goal class of Social Service Specialist 3. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.

Our DCYF, Tacoma Office, is looking for a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) to provide case management services to clients and families in the After-hours Unit, Region 5, Pierce County.

We are seeking high-energy Social Service professionals with excellent child welfare assessment skills.

This opportunity is a great way to gain additional experience, supplement your income, and/or advance your career in social services!

Apply today and join our amazing after-hours team!

The Opportunity: We're hiring for on-call Social Service Specialists at the 2 and 3 levels to work evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays

As an After-Hours Social Service Specialist, your role is to assist DCYF Region 5 during non-business hours.

After-hours staff respond to and investigate reports of abuse and neglect during times DCYF offices are closed.

Local offices are closed from 5 pm to 8 am daily, on weekends, and on all holidays, but the need to assist children still exists.

The number of hours worked per week will vary depending on the number of calls received and the number of days you are available to work.

You will only be on-call if you are scheduled to work, based on the calendar that you help create.

This position offers scheduling flexibility based on your availability.

Some of what you’ll get to do:

Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.

Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK database.

Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.

Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS Investigation cases, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts, and monthly Health and Safety visits.

Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.

Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child’s physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.

Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement, when needed.

Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children either in their own homes or out-of-home care through the intervention of the court system.

Supervise youth after hours when placement efforts are ongoing or when placement is unable to locate a safe, appropriate placement.

Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.

Utilize the Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) Screens.

May attend and testify in court.

• Respond to emergent requests and other after-hours requests.
• Meet required timeframes and complete documentation/paperwork in FAMLINK database.
• Gather and document sufficient information to assess present danger and take protective action if danger is identified.
• Conduct 24-hour emergent face-to-face contacts for CPS Investigation cases, 72-hour non-emergent face-to-face contacts, and monthly Health and Safety visits.
• Observe and document the living environment, physical condition, and behaviors of children.
• Follow Agency Policy for Photograph Documentation when photographing a child's physical condition or environment to document child abuse or neglect.
• Respond to Protective Custody inquiries, partnering with law enforcement, when needed.
• Investigate allegations, assess complex family situations, and develop plans to protect children either in their own homes or out-of-home care through the intervention of the court system.
• Supervise youth after hours when placement efforts are ongoing or when placement is unable to locate a safe, appropriate placement.
• Work collaboratively with other social workers within other units and offices.
• Utilize the Child Health and Education Tracking (CHET) Screens.
• May attend and testify in court.

• Five (5) 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 Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND a completed practicum.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND One (1) year of paid social service experience.
• One (1) year of experience** as a Social Service Specialist 1.
• Six (6) 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 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.
• A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or 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.
• One (1) year of experience* as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• One (1) year of experience* as a Social Service Specialist 3.

• Health insurance
• Paid leave
• Vacation (Annual Leave)
• Sick Leave
• Retirement and Deferred Compensation
• Social Security
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Holidays
• Dependent care assistance

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.