Description
Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”
Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only**
Job Title: Licensing Division/CPS Supervisor 5 (SSS5) Location: 8625 Evergreen Way #201, Everett, WA 98208 - Region 3 (Region Map). This position is hybrid and can be done remotely; however, you must be willing to report to the office for required in-person meetings, IT or equipment support, or to support business needs. Closes: Sunday, November 15th, 2026 Salary: $80,496 - $108,228 Annually
Are you a collaborative and supportive leader who is passionate about protecting the safety and well-being of children? The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a supervisor to lead a team of Social Service Specialists within the Licensing Division's Child Protective Services program. This position plays a critical role in overseeing investigations involving allegations of child abuse and neglect in licensed and, at times, unlicensed providers/facilities because they investigate child care, hospitals, group homes, foster homes, etc. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy coaching and developing staff, and are committed to promoting child safety and accountability, we encourage you to apply.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
As a supervisor within the Licensing Division's Child Protective Services program, you will lead a team of Social Service Specialists responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect in licensed and unlicensed homes/facilities providing care to children/youth. You will provide coaching, mentoring, training, and performance oversight to ensure staff conduct thorough investigations, make sound decisions, and comply with legal, policy, and program requirements. This role includes conducting case reviews, facilitating staffings, establishing and maintaining efficient workflows, and providing final approval of work products.
In this position, you will oversee complex and high-profile cases involving children and vulnerable adults while promoting accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement within your team. You will utilize planning, tracking, and performance management processes to ensure staff meet casework management directives, legal requirements, and agency expectations. Success in this role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, cultural competency, and a commitment to understanding and respecting the diverse strengths, values, communication styles, and lived experiences of the children, families, providers, and communities we serve.
Some of what you will get to do:
- Perform supervisory personnel functions, including setting performance goals, performance evaluation, and scheduling staff to ensure service to customers, career development planning, clinical supervisory conferences, workload management, hiring and other personnel functions, and completion of personnel investigations.
- Comply with the Collective Bargaining Agreement as it relates to subordinate staff in the bargaining unit.
- Prioritize and assign work to Social Service Specialist staff who complete LD/CPS investigations.
- Provide informal training regarding LD/CPS functions and arrange for formal agency training for staff.
- Provide after-hours coverage to provide guidance to DCYF Central Intake Unit and other after-hours staff regarding LD/CPS practice and maintain contact with LD/CPS on-call staff duringholiday weekends.
- Assist staff in coordination of investigations with law enforcement, medical professionals, community professionals, and other agencies, as appropriate.
- Process or facilitates the process of public disclosure and/or discovery requests.
- Develop onboarding training plans for incoming staff and assists the Social Service Specialist 4 with the delivery of onboarding training.
- Provide case consultation and reviews of completed facility investigations. Makes determination of findings recommended by Social Service Specialists.
- Review case for transfer or closure and participate in court and administrative hearings.
- Conduct monthly reviews, case staffing, unit meetings, and other meetings as needed.
- Provide ongoing guidance and direct technical assistance to LD/CPS investigators regarding the investigation process, policy, and procedure.
- Assist LD/CPS investigators in these functions by providing training and technical assistance.
- Communicate agency and division changes in a manner that is informative and aligns with the agency and division culture principles.
- Collaborate with the community, including the provider community, law enforcement, medical personnel and families of children in out-of-home care.
- Assist staff to make in-person field visits to facilitate investigative functions.
- Perform quality assurance on staff documentation, investigative assessments, reports, and case management.
- Provide Area Administrator monthly statistical information for work pending and completed by staff.
- Complete all required supervisory documentation within the case file and electronic record in FamLink and other LD databases within program and policy standards, accountability requirements and agency’s documentation practice.
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* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
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* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.
OR
- One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
OR
- Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
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:
- Supervise, teach and train staff.
- Manage a large volume of work.
- Communicate with other agencies and community groups.
- Communicate up and down the chain of command and develop and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range and level of staff.
- Evaluate job performance.
- Interview job applicants.
- Make professional judgments.
- Ability to work cooperatively with diverse populations.
- Working understanding of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed facilities.
- Must be able to effectively, clearly and concisely communicate verbally and in writing with management, peers, clients, and the public as required to carry out the assigned duties of the position.
- Be skilled in the use of MS Office- Word, Outlook and Excel, FAMLINK and other databases used.
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:
- College Transcripts - (An unofficial copy is acceptable for applying.)
- Cover Letter (Describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.)
- 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 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.
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. Must complete all required training (including specialized LD/CPS and Child Abuse Investigation and Interviewing Skills training) within required timeframes.
Must successfully complete a background check prior to initial appointment with the agency and every 5 years thereafter.
Must hold a valid driver’s license when operating a state or privately-owned vehicle while on official state business.
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.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 would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact 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. 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 blackout (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. 2026-09264
Benefits
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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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 service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave Leave Sharing Parental Leave Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026