Salary : $6,708.00 - $9,019.00 Monthly
Location : Grays Harbor County - Aberdeen, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
DSHS ESA- Social Service Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5
Are you a leader who believes strong teams create stronger outcomes for the communities they serve? DSHS's (ESA) is seeking a Social Service Supervisor to lead a social work team located in Aberdeen, Washington.

In this role, you will provide supervision to professional social service specialist to assist disabled individuals of Community Servies Division (CSD) in obtaining federal Social Security benefits and /or other programs administered by CSD.
Please note: This position is 100% in-office.

Some of what you'll do:

• Interviewing and assessing individuals with possible physical and mental disabilities, obtaining and reviewing complex medical evidence, inputting medical and social service information in DSHS electronic case records and Social Security web-based application systems, monitoring case progress in both systems, acting as an advocate for clients and providing liaison to treatment services, and to staff working for Disability Determination Services and Social Security
• Create, implement, monitor and modify case plans for achieving individual economic and social self-support
• Apply medical diagnostic terminology and categories to access and determine employability/incapacity
• Required to complete these social services and advocacy functions while observing strict HIPAA confidentiality rules as documented in DSHS Administrative Policy 5.01
• Intensive social services to WorkFirst adults who require extra assistance and support in order to participate .in WorkFirst activities such as assessing and determining employability, job readiness and vocational education and training needs
• Case management to individuals with varying degrees of vocational, social cultural, medical or mental health impairments that hinder economic independence
• Working with specialized groups of individuals, including pregnant and parenting teens and adults and individuals with• substance abuse issues
• Processing medical incapacity determinations received over the counter, DMS and through interactive case management interviews and will process all case actions into the appropriate computer programs (ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, e-Jas and ICMS)

Who should apply? We are seeking professionals that meet the following criteria:

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4
  OR
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3
  OR
• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2
  OR
• A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a
  OR
• A bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND five years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a
  OR
• A combination of higher education (in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field) and paid social service experience totaling at least nine years.

NOTE: 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.
NOTE: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment.

Additional knowledge, skills and abilities we are looking for:

• Supervision: Assigns and monitors work across social work units, reviews case plans for appropriateness, and addresses performance issues with clear, constructive feedback.
• Coaching: Mentors staff through complex cases and supports professional growth through formal training and ongoing guidance.
• Policy knowledge: Applies state and federal welfare laws, WorkFirst program rules, and public assistance regulations accurately and consistently across the unit.
• Critical thinking: Analyzes caseloads, identifies trends, and recommends strategies that help clients move toward independence.
• Decision-making: Makes sound, independent judgments in complex situations involving mental health, domestic violence, housing instability, and other barriers to employment.
• Communication: Conveys information clearly in writing and verbally to staff, partner agencies, management, and the public across a wide range of situations.
• Relationship building: Develops cooperative working relationships with staff, contracted providers, and community organizations based on mutual respect and shared goals.
• Technical proficiency: Uses agency systems including eJAS, ACES, and Barcode, along with standard office software, to complete work accurately and efficiently.
• Organizational skills: Manages workflow, balances competing priorities, and coordinates scheduling to keep the unit operating effectively.

Interested? Apply today!

Questions? Please reach out to or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 05389.

Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

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 Benefits
Employees 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 Compensation
State 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 Security
All 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 Forgiveness
If 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 to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil