Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5) - Belonging House/Vancouver

Posting number: 2026-06011

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: CW Field Operations - Region 6

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

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.

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: Placement Exception Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5)
Location: Vancouver, WA (Belonging House)
Closes: 7/29/26
Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually

We are looking for a Social Service Specialist 5 (SSS5) to supervise a team of Social Service Specialists at the Vancouver Belonging House Placement Exception Facility. Placement Exception Facilities provide short-term living options for foster youth, aged 13 to 18, who require supervision and do not currently have a placement. The Belonging House may serve up to three youths, with a staff ratio of one Social Service Specialist or Support Specialist to three youths.  If you have a passion for leadership and making a difference in your community, apply today.  

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
The Social Service Specialist 5 functions as the first-line supervisor of a unit of social service specialists and is responsible for managing the day-to-day functioning of Belonging House, including on-call duties, supervision of direct care staff, and responding to emergent situations as needed. This position does not carry cases, nor will the incumbent be in the "office".  Rather, as a supervisor at the Belonging House, the preferred candidate will be on the floor supporting their team and the youth for the majority of each shift. This position will utilize cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with youth, peers, community partners, and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the youth, including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication, and learning style.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Supervise a unit of social service specialists.
• Model positive pro-social behavior with youth and staff in Belonging House.
• Ensure that the youth at Belonging House receive access to education, nutrition, and youth enrichment activities.
• Coordinate with the youths' primary assigned social service specialist to manage case plans and ensure proper coordination of services.
• Support youth with complex mental health, developmental, and behavioral needs.
• Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate supervisory coverage for the office.
• Participate in supervisory, administrative, and individual meetings and conferences.
• Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation.
• Ensure that Social Service Specialists document all case activities and information gathered within the case file and FAMLINK electronic record.
• Lead staff through coaching, counseling, and feedback as necessary.
• Prepare written performance evaluations for staff utilizing the current Performance Evaluation system.
• Hire and train new and existing professional staff in the law, policies, and procedures governing their job assignments.   
• Keep staff informed of policies, rules, and regulations affecting their jobs and the clients they serve.
• Provide consultation and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework.

Required Qualifications:
Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR
A Master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Three (3) years of paid social service expe