DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2

The Economic Services Administration’s Community Services Division is currently seeking a full-time Social Service Specialist 2 to join our Community Service Office team located in Yakima, WA. If you’re looking for meaningful work that blends problem-solving, social service expertise, and direct support to people facing significant barriers, this role may be perfect for you.

• Conduct assessments to determine a person’s level of functioning including evaluating education, social history, living situation, employment history, as well as physical and behavioral health status
• Develop individualized care plans to provide specific action steps from assessment findings and provider recommendations
• Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation
• Work collaboratively with the WorkFirst/Social Service Specialist teams, medical providers, SSI Facilitation team, other agencies and community partners
• Screen, and refer customers for medical, psychiatric, and other tests
• Authorize referrals to medical specialists and create payment reimbursements
• Review and interpret objective medical information to determine customers' diagnosis, prognosis, and physical ability to perform past work; relate findings to program eligibility
• Make timely claim determinations, utilizing appropriate databases for information gathering
• Refer customers to other agencies such as mental health, substance abuse programs, domestic violence services, vocational rehabilitation, and monitor their progress in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, ensuring follow-up and coordination of services
• Carry a large caseload, maintain and update case records with detailed documentation; review cases regularly to assess customer’s progress and continuing program eligibility
• Explain department policies and provisions of the law to individuals and members of the community

• Cultural competence: Understand and integrate diverse cultures and family dynamics into interventions
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time
• Ability to work with hard to serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals
• Excellent written, verbal, and documentation skills; effective in interviewing and collaborating with customers and professionals
• Ability to interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness
• Ability to efficiently handle large caseloads, develop casework plans, and refer customers to internal/external resources
• Ability to defuse difficult and potentially hostile situations, make independent and critical decisions in high-volume and high-stress situations, support customers with emotional needs, and serve vulnerable population with respect, compassion, empathy, and confidentiality
• Ability to read and interpret the Washington Administrative Code and procedural manuals to assist in the determination of eligibility
• Ability to learn and utilize various automated programs and software applications
• Willingness to work with each customer to achieve the highest level of functioning and independence
• Knowledge of medical terminology and how to interpret medical information for incapacity determination

• Conduct assessments to determine a person’s level of functioning
• Develop individualized care plans
• Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation
• Work collaboratively with the WorkFirst/Social Service Specialist teams
• Screen, and refer customers for medical, psychiatric, and other tests
• Authorize referrals to medical specialists and create payment reimbursements
• Review and interpret objective medical information
• Make timely claim determinations
• Refer customers to other agencies
• Carry a large caseload, maintain and update case records
• Explain department policies and provisions of the law
• Other duties as assigned

The State of Washington is committed to providing its employees with a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth.