Social Services Specialist Jobs in Tacoma, WA
Social Services Specialist jobs in Tacoma are concentrated in the Hilltop, Downtown, and South End neighborhoods, where county agencies, community health organizations, and nonprofit networks anchor steady demand. Employers hiring right now include State of Washington, MultiCare Health System, and US Department of Veterans Affairs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Social Services Specialist jobs
Description
Job Title: CPS/FAR Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5).
Location: Tacoma, WA - Region 5 (Region Map). This full-time permanent position requires time in the field and the office. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, and the incumbent may be required to travel with clients as cases require, as well as travel to attend training and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 07/21/2026
Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually. Assignment Pay: This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
In this role, you will use your strong assessment and engagement skills to supervise Social Service Specialists in the CPS/FAR unit. As a front-line supervisor, you will provide staff with advanced-level guidance and specialized case management knowledge to accomplish the agency's goals of child protection, permanency planning, and enhancing child well-being, ensuring child safety is at the forefront of all decision-making. This position is the supervisor within its unit, reviewing the work of frontline department employees responsible for investigating and intervening with families where there are allegations of child abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. The primary function of this position is to provide supervisory duties to positions responsible for determining if children are safe with their families and caregivers, intervening to protect unsafe children, and developing a case plan with the family and caregivers to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children. This position provides frontline workers with on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation, including field observations and modeling of case management skills and techniques. The unit supervisor is responsible for providing regular, thorough clinical reviews and consultations; monitoring assigned client cases; applying child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policies; and assessing and intervening in assigned workloads when necessary.
Some of what you will get to do:
- Supervise and mentor a unit of Social Service Specialists and complete casework.
- Provide mentoring, coaching, counseling, consultation, on-the-job training, and feedback.
- Manage and support Social Service Specialists in formal training plans who are transitioning to field work.
- Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation.
- Ensure Social Service Specialists document case activities and information gathered within the case file and FAMLINK electronic record.
- Prepare written staff performance evaluations utilizing the Performance Evaluation system.
- Consult with administrators and human resources regarding corrective or disciplinary action.
- Train new and existing staff to gather accurate and complete information, organize information, and make case decisions.
- Keep staff informed of policies, rules, and regulations affecting their jobs and the children and families they serve.
- Provide consultation and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework.
- Review and revise service referrals, letters, court reports, and assessments.
- Review case activities with parents and relatives to establish case goals, identifying services for the family.
- Initiate payments within FamLink for child placement and child/family services.
- Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate coverage for the office.
- Participate in supervisory, administrative, and individual meetings and conferences.
- Attend and testify in Superior Court.
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 experience*.
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND four (4) years of paid social service experience*.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
OR
Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).
AND
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.
- Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) 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:
- Prior public child welfare experience with mandatory clients.
- A Master's Degree in Social Work.
- Previous case management experience working with children and families in Child Welfare Programs (CPS, CFWS, Adoptions/Permanency, or Afterhours).
- Current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State.
- Experience implementing risk assessment in cases using the preferred risk assessment model and child safety framework.
- Experience using FamLink and maintaining Famlink documentation.
How do I apply?
- College Transcripts - an unofficial copy is acceptable for application purposes
- Cover Letter
- Resume
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.
The incumbent must successfully complete Supervisor Core Training (SCT) within one year of initial appointment.
Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.
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 is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:https://wfse.org/
If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. 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.
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.
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 black out (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.
2026-05453
Description
Job Title: CPS/FAR Social Service Supervisor 5 (SSS5).
Location: Tacoma, WA - Region 5 (Region Map). This full-time permanent position requires time in the field and the office. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, and the incumbent may be required to travel with clients as cases require, as well as travel to attend training and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 07/21/2026
Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually. Assignment Pay: This position will receive 10% assignment pay. This is in addition to the regular base salary; the required duties include performing visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect to assess the safety of vulnerable children.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
In this role, you will use your strong assessment and engagement skills to supervise Social Service Specialists in the CPS/FAR unit. As a front-line supervisor, you will provide staff with advanced-level guidance and specialized case management knowledge to accomplish the agency's goals of child protection, permanency planning, and enhancing child well-being, ensuring child safety is at the forefront of all decision-making. This position is the supervisor within its unit, reviewing the work of frontline department employees responsible for investigating and intervening with families where there are allegations of child abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment. The primary function of this position is to provide supervisory duties to positions responsible for determining if children are safe with their families and caregivers, intervening to protect unsafe children, and developing a case plan with the family and caregivers to remedy the situation so families can safely parent their children. This position provides frontline workers with on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation, including field observations and modeling of case management skills and techniques. The unit supervisor is responsible for providing regular, thorough clinical reviews and consultations; monitoring assigned client cases; applying child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policies; and assessing and intervening in assigned workloads when necessary.
Some of what you will get to do:
- Supervise and mentor a unit of Social Service Specialists and complete casework.
- Provide mentoring, coaching, counseling, consultation, on-the-job training, and feedback.
- Manage and support Social Service Specialists in formal training plans who are transitioning to field work.
- Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, assessments, reports, case management, and payment initiation.
- Ensure Social Service Specialists document case activities and information gathered within the case file and FAMLINK electronic record.
- Prepare written staff performance evaluations utilizing the Performance Evaluation system.
- Consult with administrators and human resources regarding corrective or disciplinary action.
- Train new and existing staff to gather accurate and complete information, organize information, and make case decisions.
- Keep staff informed of policies, rules, and regulations affecting their jobs and the children and families they serve.
- Provide consultation and oversight to ensure accurate application of the child safety framework.
- Review and revise service referrals, letters, court reports, and assessments.
- Review case activities with parents and relatives to establish case goals, identifying services for the family.
- Initiate payments within FamLink for child placement and child/family services.
- Coordinate with other supervisors to ensure appropriate coverage for the office.
- Participate in supervisory, administrative, and individual meetings and conferences.
- Attend and testify in Superior Court.
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 experience*.
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences or any Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND four (4) years of paid social service experience*.
OR
One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
OR
Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3).
AND
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
NOTE: A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one (1) year of paid social service experience.
- Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) 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:
- Prior public child welfare experience with mandatory clients.
- A Master's Degree in Social Work.
- Previous case management experience working with children and families in Child Welfare Programs (CPS, CFWS, Adoptions/Permanency, or Afterhours).
- Current knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies on the delivery of child protective and child welfare services within Washington State.
- Experience implementing risk assessment in cases using the preferred risk assessment model and child safety framework.
- Experience using FamLink and maintaining Famlink documentation.
How do I apply?
- College Transcripts - an unofficial copy is acceptable for application purposes
- Cover Letter
- Resume
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.
The incumbent must successfully complete Supervisor Core Training (SCT) within one year of initial appointment.
Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.
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 is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:https://wfse.org/
If you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. 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.
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.
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 black out (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.
2026-05453
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Social Services Specialist Jobs in Tacoma: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a social services specialist job in Tacoma?
Focus your search on Pierce County Human Services, community health centers in the Hilltop and South End, and the network of nonprofits serving Tacoma's homeless and veteran populations. Candidates with case management experience and familiarity with Washington State's behavioral health system stand out. Bilingual skills, particularly in Spanish, give applicants a concrete edge with Tacoma's diverse client base.
Which companies hire social services specialists in Tacoma?
Tacoma social services specialist roles are posted by State of Washington, MultiCare Health System, and US Department of Veterans Affairs and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Tacoma's hiring market includes county government agencies, federally qualified health centers, tribal social service departments, and established nonprofits serving Pierce County residents.
Are there remote social services specialist jobs in Tacoma?
Yes, though with real limits, since most social services specialist work involves in-person client contact, home visits, or facility-based case management. About 0% of social services specialist openings tied to Tacoma are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. The roles most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules are those focused on documentation, benefits eligibility review, or telephonic case coordination rather than direct field services.
How can I get a social services specialist job in Tacoma with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a community service aide or case aide role with Pierce County or a Tacoma-area nonprofit, where you build client contact hours and system knowledge on the job. Employers like community action agencies and shelter programs regularly hire entry-level staff and provide structured supervision. Volunteering with organizations in Tacoma's Hilltop or Eastside corridors and completing a field placement through a local college program can open doors to paid positions quickly.
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