Salary: $78,504.00 - $105,612.00 Annually
Location : Spokane County - Spokane, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: CW Field Operations - Region 1
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Job Title: Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4)
Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane Central Office) Hybrid - work will include a mixture of in-person, telework, and field work. This position will require frequent travel to offices within Region 1 as well as occasional travel outside of the region for statewide meetings. The selected candidate can choose a workstation from any DCYF Region 1 office. For a detailed view of DCYF's regional boundaries,
Closes: 8/20/26
Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually

We're looking for a Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) who is interested in being a trainer and mentor to an amazing team of Social Service Specialists. Would you like a career where you make a significant difference in the lives of children? If so, apply today!

Click here to learn more about .

The Opportunity:
The Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) position is a critical lead role designed to increase consistency of practice in child welfare cases to improve child safety outcomes and the overall quality of investigations, assessments, and interventions. In this role, you'll provide consultation services and mentoring to new and experienced staff. This position trains to the delivery of program-specialized casework in the investigation and assessment of child abuse and/or neglect, and provides performance-related feedback to Supervisors and Area Administrators,

Some of what you will get to do:

• Demonstrate, monitor, teach, observe, and mentor field operations staff.
• Provide consultation services to new and experienced Social Service Specialists to improve the quality-of-service delivery and safety outcomes to children and families in child welfare cases.
• Consult with, direct, and support Social Service Specialist staff who are managing high-risk/complex cases.
• Conduct periodic, or upon request, observation of Social Service Specialists to ensure consistency of standard of practice expectations.
• Review region, local office, and unit child welfare program goals, identify needs, and work on meeting set targets for improvement in practice and child safety.
• Review cases, analyze compliance with state and federal requirements, policies, and procedures, and implement formal and informal training and action plans to address deficiencies.
• Liaison with community partners.

Required Qualifications:
Equivalent education and experience totaling nine years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent,ORTwo years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent,ORA Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field; and five years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,
OR
A Master's degree or higher in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs,
AND

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

Note: Two years of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services (strengthening and preserving family units).

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Strong working knowledge of Washington's electronic child welfare records system, FamLink.
• Strong risk assessment and safety assessment skills.
• Working knowledge of developing effective safety plans that reduce future risk of child abuse or neglect and improve child safety.
• Knowledge and understanding of the connection between research, data, and practice.
• Working knowledge of child development, including early childhood brain development.
• Previously demonstrated knowledge of Child Protective Services' roles, responsibilities, and authority.
• Previously demonstrated working knowledge of DCYF programs and policies, Family Assessment Response, Child Protective Services Investigations, Family Voluntary Services, Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Reconciliation Services, Adoptions, Interstate Compact, etc.

How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Transcripts - if applicable to qualifications (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application submission)

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.

This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information:

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

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.
If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact . If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email . 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.
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, 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 blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible,

06575
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