Salary: $74,748.00 - $100,488.00 Annually
Location : Kitsap County - Bremerton, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: CW Field Operations - Region 5
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
DescriptionJob Title: CPSS Lead Worker - Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4).
Location: Bremerton, WA - Region 5 (Region Map). This is a full-time, permanent position that requires time in the field and the office. Travel is a requirement. This position will travel within its assigned areas of work, travel with clients as cases require, and travel to attend training and meetings in other locations.
Closes: 10/18/2026
Salary: $74,748 - $100,488 Annually. Assignment Pay: This position will also receive 10% assignment pay, 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.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a CPS Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) to lead Social Service Specialists in Region 5, Bremerton Office. The ideal candidate has CPS experience, is knowledgeable in Child Welfare, and is ready to take on a supportive, mentorship role to Social Service Specialists at the SSS1-3 levels. If you have the necessary skills and are passionate about training staff in Child Welfare and helping children and families, apply today.
The Opportunity:This Social Service Specialist 4 (SSS4) position functions as a Lead Worker over Social Service Specialists (SSS1-SSS3) who provide professional-level social services to clients involved with the Child Protective Services (CPS) unit, Family Assessment Response (FAR), Family Voluntary Services (FVS), and Family Reconciliation Services (FRS). This position provides advanced specialized case management, coaching, mentoring, on-the-job training, and assistance in transitioning staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. This position assigns work, conducts case reviews, maintains procedures to ensure efficient workflow, and acts as the unit supervisor (SSS5) in their absence, including attendance at meetings, facilitation of meetings, case staffing, and decision-making. This position has the responsibility to apply child welfare practice principles, laws, rules, and policy in leading employees within its unit, as well as assessing and intervening on assigned workload on the most complex cases.
Some of what you'll do:- Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching, and consultation to the staff.
- Conduct on-the-job training and assistance with staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to fieldwork.
- Assign work, review work for efficiency, use data to identify trends, and review case actions for accuracy and compliance with policy.
- Serve as Lead Specialist assigned to the most complex cases.
- Report on the strengths and weaknesses of employees to their direct supervisor.
- Provide feedback for annual performance evaluations and identify training needs.
- Provide coverage of assigned caseloads.
- Attend court hearings and provide testimony in court when necessary.
- Fill in as supervisor in the supervisor's absence.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Seven (7) years of paid social service experience. Paid Social Service experience must include at least one year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services
AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.
OROne (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
ORA Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Bachelor's degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience*.
OR A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a Master's degree that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND two (2) years of paid social service experience*.
(A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience).
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:- Child welfare experience in program areas: Child Protective Services (CPS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Family Voluntary Services (FVS), Family Reconciliation Services (FRS), Family Assessment Response (FAR), and Adoptions/Permanency.
- Master's in Social Work and completed practicum.
- Case management experience with mandatory clients.
- Knowledge of child development and/or family systems.
- Professional experience working with clients who have mental health or substance use disorders, developmental delays, or criminal behaviors.
- Experience researching, interpreting, and applying Child Welfare laws, rules, and policies, and delivering services accordingly.
- Experience with the agency's software program, FamLink.
How do I apply?Complete your application profile and attach the following:
- Transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes)
- Current resume detailing experience and education.
- Cover Letter
2026-08154
More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance BenefitsEmployees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan ForgivenessIf you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month
