Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) - Belonging House/Vancouver

Posting number: 2026-01804

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 6

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

  

Job Title: Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2)

Location: Vancouver, WA (Belonging House)

Closes: 8/20/26

Salary:  $66,072 - 88,788 Annually. 

This recruitment has been reposted for additional applications. If you have already applied there is no need to reapply— your application status remains unchanged.

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2) to join our Vancouver Belonging House team. Belonging House is a Placement Exception Facility that supports DCYF Dependent youth who present with severe complex trauma due to abuse and neglect. The facility may serve up to three youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Social Service Support Specialist to three youths.  If you have a passion for making a difference in your community, apply today. 

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

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The Opportunity:
This position will play a key role in promoting positive youth development and improving outcomes for youth placed in Belonging House. It also is responsible for providing supervision, culturally appropriate emotional support, personal attention, and a structured daily routine. This position will require strong assessment and engagement skills to support youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs, while also calmly managing crisis situations through de-escalation techniques.
 
Some of what you'll do:

• Provide youth supervision and monitoring.
• Transport youth to and from school and community-based appointments. 
• Monitor and assess youth compliance with treatment, education, medical and wellbeing program requirements, and risk to self/others.
• Document breaches of security and behavioral incidents.
• Maintain a written account of each youth's daily activities and interactions during work shifts in FAMLINK.
• Manage weekly and monthly appointment calendar.
• Utilize de-escalation skills while assisting with crisis response.
• Conduct routine and random resident checks.
• Coordinate case planning activities for the youth with their assigned Social Service Specialist.
• Prepare, serve, and supervise meals.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
Social Service Specialist 2: 

• Five (5) 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 which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one (1) year of paid social service experience 

OR 

• 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 completed practicum.

OR 

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

AND

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

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: