DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2

DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2

Salary

$5,506.00 - $7,399.00 Monthly

Location

Spokane County - Spokane, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2026-07969

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

ESA

Opening Date

09/24/2026

Closing Date

10/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits

Description

DSHS ESA Social Service Specialist 2

Join our team as a Social Service Specialist 2 with the Economic Services Administration's (ESA), Community Services Division (CSD) at the Spokane Maple Community Service Office, where you will provide vital, client-centered support to individuals and families working to overcome barriers to stability and self-sufficiency.

In this role, you will support participants in both the WorkFirst and Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) programs by conducting comprehensive assessments, developing individualized plans, and delivering ongoing case management. You'll work with clients facing a wide range of vocational, medical, psychological, and social challenges, helping them navigate services, access resources, and move toward greater independence.

You will also assist individuals in gathering and coordinating documentation for federal disability benefits, collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and internal teams to ensure accurate and timely support. This position involves both office-based work and occasional travel for home or alternate-site visits, allowing you to meet clients where they are and provide equitable, meaningful service.

See why people like you chose careers with DSHS:

Some of what youll do:

• Conduct assessments to determine a person's level of functioning including evaluating education, social history, living situation, employment history, as well as physical and behavioral health status.
• Develop individualized care plans to provide specific action steps from assessment findings and provider recommendations.
• Assist walk-in clients daily for evaluation.
• Work collaboratively with the WorkFirst/Social Service Specialist teams, medical providers, SSI Facilitation team, other agencies and community partners.
• Screen, and refer customers for medical, psychiatric, and other tests.
• Authorize referrals to medical specialists and create payment reimbursements.
• Review and interpret objective medical information to determine customers diagnosis, prognosis, and physical ability to perform past work; relate findings to program eligibility.
• Make timely claim determinations, utilizing appropriate databases for information gathering.
• Refer customers to other agencies such as mental health, substance abuse programs, domestic violence services, vocational rehabilitation, and monitor their progress in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, ensuring follow-up and coordination of services.
• Carry a caseload, maintain and update case records with detailed documentation; review cases regularly to assess customer's progress and continuing program eligibility.
• Explain department policies and provisions of the law to individuals and members of the community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Who should apply?

Professionals that meet the following criteria:

• Twelve months of experience as a Social Service Specialist 1 AND completion of the agency's Social Service Specialist training program.

OR

• A masters degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience. A two-year masters degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

OR

• A bachelors degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field, AND two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education/experience of six or more years.

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

NOTE: Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and/or adults and providing direct family-centered practice services.

What were looking for:

• Cultural competence: Understand and integrate diverse cultures and family dynamics into interventions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate the ability to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.
• Ability to work with hard to serve, chronically homeless, mentally ill and chemically dependent individuals.
• Excellent written, verbal, and documentation skills; effective in interviewing and collaborating with customers and professionals.
• Ability to interact with all DSHS staff and serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.
• An ability to efficiently handle large caseloads, develop casework plans, and refer customers to internal/external resources.
• Ability to defuse difficult and potentially hostile situations, make independent and critical decisions in high-volume and high-stress situations, support customers with emotional needs, and serve vulnerable population with respect, compassion, empathy, and confidentiality.
• Ability to read and interpret the Washington Administrative Code and procedural manuals to assist in the determination of eligibility.
• Ability to learn and utilize various automated programs and software applications.
• Willingness to work with each customer to achieve the highest level of functioning and independence.
• Knowledge of medical terminology and how to interpret medical information for incapacity determination.

Interested?

Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume.
• Three professional references with contact information.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 07969.

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 drivers license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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. Thats 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

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov