Group Care Licensor (SSS3)

State of Washington - DCYF Group Care Licensor (SSS3)

The Spokane Group Care Licensing Team has an open position within our amazing unit. Our team thrives on collaboration and strong partnerships with licensed providers, youth, and community stakeholders across a variety of high-quality out-of-home group care settings. We are based in the Spokane Central DCYF office and serve Region 1 providers, with most located in Spokane County. Our team is energetic, supportive, and committed to building positive relationships with providers and youth. If you are interested in joining a team that values connection, problem-solving, and high-quality service to youth and families, we encourage you to apply.

The Opportunity:

This Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) position works within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Licensing Division (LD) and serves as a main point of contact for licensed group care providers. The role requires advanced, culturally competent, and solution-focused case management with minimal supervision. The Group Care Licensor supports a wide range of licensed programs, including staffed residential homes, group homes, overnight youth shelters, group receiving centers, crisis residential centers, maternity services, resource and assessment centers, and emergency respite centers. This position utilizes the racial equity and social justice framework to collaboratively develop, direct, and monitor high-profile social service programs serving vulnerable children in out-of-home care. The Licensor ensures consistent application of RCWs, WACs, and agency policies while honoring and respecting the strengths, cultural identities, and communication styles of families and providers.

Some of what you'll do:

• Approve or deny applications to license or relicense group care facilities.
• Perform specialized reviews of all elements related to child health and safety, to assess potential risk and compliance.
• Maintain communication with Group Care Supervisor, attend monthly 1:1 staffing and all required unit meetings.
• Conduct program evaluations to identify provider strengths and challenges. Program evaluation includes, but is not limited to, initial and on-going assessment of:
• Program policies and procedures.
• Staff qualifications and references.
• Personnel records.
• Child records and service/treatment plans.
• Results of Group Care facility background checks including criminal history and child abuse registry.
• Suitability for placement.
• Physical facility and grounds.
• Compliance with all other minimum licensing requirements.
• Provide direction to providers in assessing and improving the health and safety of children in out-of-home care, interpreting Washington policy and statute governing licensing functions and correcting deficiencies in order to maintain licensure.
• Provide direction in the development and monitoring of facility policies and procedures.
• Explain department policies and provisions of the law to facility providers, families, individuals, and members of the community.
• Process complaints and coordinates investigations with group care facility staff, of licensing violations. Assess risk to health and safety of children and compliance to licensing regulations and determine findings involving the investigation.
• Evaluate complaint information and determine degree of risk and need for emergent response.
• Issue compliance agreements and monitor programs for compliance.
• Utilize FamLink to document activities and maintain provider records within program and manual standards, accountability requirements and agency’s documentation practice.
• Maintain documentation of services offered using Microsoft Word (forms and letters).

Required Qualifications:

• Six (6) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs AND 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

• 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 experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

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

• Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year of assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services. In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Work cooperatively with diverse populations.

• Understand agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed facilities.

• Effectively, 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.

• Use MS Office and FAMLINK database.

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 goal 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