Job Description
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." Job Title: Extended Foster Care Social Service Specialist 3 (SSS3) or Social Service Specialist 2 In-Training (SSS2). Location : Seattle, WA – Region 4. ( Region Map ). This position requires time in the field and the office. The designated office is flexible and will be determined based on need and/or the location that is nearest to you. Office locations are in West Seattle, Queen Anne, South Seattle, Kent, and Bellevue. Travel is a requirement of this position. 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: 06/01/2026 Salary: $64,776 - $91,464. Annually. King County Premium: The salary listed does not include the additional 5% premium granted to all King County employees. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Extended Foster Care (EFC) program in King County is currently seeking a motivated, team-oriented Social Service Specialist 2-3 who is passionate about empowering youth as they work toward their independent living goals and build essential emerging adult skills. EFC is a vital program dedicated to improving outcomes for youth transitioning out of the foster care system. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting youth in building stability, confidence, and long-term success as they move into adulthood. If you are passionate about supporting youth transition planning goals, apply today and join our supportive EFC team. Click here to learn more about DCYF . The Opportunity: In this role, you will be assigned to a caseload of youth, ranging in age from 18 to 20, who have voluntarily entered the EFC program. This role is responsible for assisting youth transitioning to adulthood to develop skills of emerging adult independence, ensuring youth health and education needs are met, and planning for permanent living arrangements for youth. This role is responsible for having expert knowledge of the EFC program, policy, and law, as well as best practices for transitioning planning for youth who are in the foster care system. Some of what you will get to do: Act as the EFC liaison for the local office and region. Provide highly skilled casework to youth participating in the EFC program. Meet timeframes for intake referrals, multi-disciplinary staffings, transition plans for youth exiting care, health and safety visits, sibling visits, Child Health and Safety Tracking (CHET) screens, permanency planning, financial planning requests, court reports, and ICPC requests. Assess youth progress in the program and identify barriers to independent living. Provide guidance and service referrals designed to help overcome specific barriers. Determine housing resources, complete life skills assessments, and develop plans for services that prepare youth for successful adulthood. Identify and develop community support and resources. Provide referrals for assessments and resources that respond to the youth's identity, cultural, and emotional needs. Provide EFC program and transition planning information to other social service specialists, community partners, youth and families, and the court. Meet documentation and payment initiation requirements for accurate and timely entries into FamLink. Address safety risk concerns through cultural competency and strength-based communication. Develop and update the EFC case plan with the youth that assists in developing skill-based individual objectives. Document progress made by youth towards meeting the identified objectives/goals of the case plan. Prepare written and informed reports to the court addressing the youth's compliance with the EFC agreement and program. Attend and testify in court. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Social Service Specialist 2: Five years of paid social service experience AND 30 semester or 45 quarter college credits in a Social Services discipline. OR Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a completed Bachelor's degree which included 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Service discipline AND one