JOB
Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”
Job Title: Kinship Care Licensor | Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3)
Location: Vancouver, WA - This position includes a hybrid schedule which involves in-person office work, telework from home, field work, home visits, and occasional travel to attend meetings, trainings or to support the needs of the kinship caregivers throughout Region 6.
Closes: Sunday, July 19th, 2026
Salary: $69,348 - $93,288 Annually
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a passionate and dedicated Social Service Specialist to join our Kinship Licensing team in Vancouver, Washington. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven team while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work environment. At DCYF, we work alongside Washington's vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community.
Our Kinship Licensing team plays a vital role in helping children remain safely connected to their families, cultures, and communities whenever possible through a kin-first approach. Based in the vibrant Vancouver community, you'll have the opportunity to partner with families, caregivers, and community organizations to make a lasting impact in the lives of children throughout Southwest Washington.
We are seeking someone who is compassionate, organized, open to learning, and committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and kinship families. Essential skills for success in this role include excellent communication, strong assessment and critical thinking abilities, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and relationship-building skills, The successful candidate will be able to prioritize competing demands while responding to the needs of families, children, kinship caregivers, and the agency in a timely and professional manner. If you're looking for rewarding work, workplace flexibility, and the support of an exceptional team, we'd love to hear from you.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position offers a unique and rewarding blend of specialized family support, advanced clinical assessment, case management, relationship building, and advocacy while supporting children and families through a kin-first approach.
As a Kinship Care Licensor, you will perform advanced-level specialized case management on complex or potentially high-profile cases involving children and vulnerable adults. You will conduct comprehensive kinship licensing assessments that evaluate caregiver strengths, challenges, family history, parenting capacity, trauma-related experiences, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and available support systems. Through ongoing engagement, home evaluations, and collaboration with caregivers and community partners, you will identify and address barriers that may impact a caregiver's ability to provide safe, stable, and nurturing care.
Using a kin-first approach, you will help children in the care and custody of the Department maintain meaningful family, cultural, and community connections throughout the life of a case. This position is responsible for meeting all case management directives required by law while exercising sound professional judgment, applying strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, and ensuring licensing decisions support child safety, permanency, and well-being.
This role requires a commitment to DCYF's Racial Equity and Social Justice Framework, applying trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered practices while building collaborative relationships with caregivers, Tribal partners, service providers, and community organizations to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and families.
Some of what you will get to do:-
Conduct assessments through intensive interviews and information gathering to complete Family Home Studies for kinship placement, certification, and/or licensing in compliance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC).
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Consult with applicants, refer them to services or training, and support them throughout the home study, licensing, renewal, and amendment processes while ensuring assessments are completed within established program timeframes.
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Prepare clear and thorough written assessments describing caregiver family history, strengths, trauma-related experiences, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), parenting capacity, and areas of concern to support licensing recommendations.
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Assist caregivers in identifying and overcoming barriers that may hinder their ability to care for children, become licensed, maintain licensure, or successfully complete the renewal process.
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Complete in-person inspections of homes, outbuildings, and surrounding premises to assess safety, licensing compliance, and ongoing health and safety requirements.
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Review completed background checks, collateral information, waivers, disqualifications, licensing complaints, and other required documentation to ensure compliance with licensing standards.
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Monitor licensed kinship homes by completing required health and safety visits, processing license renewals, amendments, and changes in circumstances, and communicating licensing requirements and status updates to caregivers and child welfare staff.
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Provide timely, responsive customer service by returning calls, emails, and other communications, while offering technical assistance and interpretation of policies and statutes governing licensing functions.
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Communicate timely kinship licensure updates to Placement Coordinators, fiduciaries, Tribal partners, contracted providers, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), and other DCYF programs, as appropriate.
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Collaborate with Child Welfare programs, DCYF divisions, Tribal partners, and community organizations to preserve safe, stable placements and support positive outcomes for children and families.
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Interview caregivers, household members, and verbal children; observe caregiver-child interactions; and collaborate with other professionals to support safe, healthy, and nurturing home environments.
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Partner with Licensing Division programs during investigations involving allegations of child abuse or neglect (CA/N) or Washington Administrative Code (WAC) violations by conducting interviews, completing home inspections, and providing technical assistance and support to caregivers.
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Represent DCYF in licensing actions by preparing written declarations and providing testimony during administrative hearings and court proceedings related to home studies, licensing decisions, renewals, and enforcement actions.
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Document licensing, home study, renewal, and maintenance activities using department databases while maintaining accurate provider records in accordance with agency policies and documentation standards.
What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):
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Six (6) years of paid social service experience* AND you must have completed 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OR-
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.
OR-
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.
OR-
One (1) year as a Social Service Specialist 2 (SSS2).
AND-
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
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The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:-
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with diverse populations.
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Demonstrated solid working foundation and understanding of agency policies, WAC, and RCW related to licensing kinship homes.
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Demonstrated program management experience in a regulatory or supervisory capacity for facilities providing care to children.
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Demonstrated ability to clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
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Ability to travel frequently within the position's region.
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Demonstrated skills in the use of MS Office (Word and Outlook) and Department databases.
How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
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Cover Letter
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Current resume 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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
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 of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
The incumbent must complete all required training within required timeframes.
Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.
This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email
[email protected].
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.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.
2026-05564
