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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

SOCIAL SERVICE SUPPORT SPECIALIST

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SOCIAL SERVICE SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Class Code: 351S
Category: Social Services


Definition

Assists Social Service Specialists in providing services to children and/or families where there is risk of child abuse or neglect, such as: conducting health and safety home visits, transporting children to scheduled visitations, and/or supervising children/parent visitations.

Distinguishing Characteristics

As a direct care provider, the employee’s work involves providing physical support/intervention for clients using program approved methods which may include moving or transferring children to supervised visitation locations; positions do not carry a caseload.

Typical Work

Transports children to supervised visitation locations, which can be in an office, residential, or public setting; and/or to case plan related activities;

Conducts health and safety home visits which may include the following activities:

  • Assess for child safety and wellbeing by observing the home environment and how the child appears developmentally, physically and emotionally;
  • Observe the interactions and attachment between the child and the parent/caregiver;
  • Talk with verbal child(ren) in private away from the parent/caregiver;
  • Confirm that each child capable of reading, writing and using the telephone has  written contact information for their assigned agency staff contact(s);

Supervise parent/child interactions, observe visitations and document visitation activities;

Prepare and submit supervised visitation reports to social service specialist staff;

Promote child/family participation related to case plan that strengthen parent/child relationships;

Contact parent and/or foster parent regarding visitation details;

Report all possible critical and unusual incidents to supervisor, as required by applicable policies, rules regulations and federal and state laws;

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:  Record keeping; observation skills and techniques. 

Ability to:  Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, some of which may include multi-faceted procedures; record and process information quickly and efficiently.

Legal Requirement(s)

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Desirable Qualifications

High school diploma or high school equivalency course;

AND

 

One year of paid/unpaid experience in one of the following: caring for children, social care, supervised volunteer experience in youth/child oriented organizations, counseling youth, education and home visitations.

OR

Two years of social service education from an accredited post high school program may substitute.

NOTE: Possession of a valid driver’s license and valid automobile insurance is required.

Class Specification History

New class; adopted June 30, 2017; effective July 1, 2017.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.