Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4)

Location: Spokane, WA (Spokane Central Office) – Hybrid schedule with a mix of in-person, telework, and field work. Frequent travel within Region 1 and occasional statewide travel required. Workstation may be chosen from any DCYF Region 1 office.

About the Role

The Quality Practice Specialist (SHPC4) is a critical lead role focused on increasing consistency in child welfare practice to improve child safety outcomes and the quality of investigations, assessments, and interventions. In this position, you will provide consultation, mentoring, and training to new and experienced staff, offer performance-related feedback to supervisors and area administrators, and support high-risk and complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate, monitor, teach, observe, and mentor field operations staff.
• Provide consultation services to new and experienced Social Service Specialists to improve service delivery and safety outcomes for children and families in child welfare cases.
• Consult with, direct, and support Social Service Specialists managing high-risk or complex cases.
• Conduct periodic or requested observations of Social Service Specialists to ensure consistency with practice standards.
• Review regional, local office, and unit child welfare program goals; identify needs and work toward meeting improvement targets for practice and child safety.
• Review cases, analyze compliance with state and federal requirements, policies, and procedures, and implement training or action plans to address deficiencies.
• Serve as a liaison with community partners.

Requirements

Equivalent education and experience totaling nine years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.

OR one of the following:

• One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent,
• Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent,
• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, 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,
• A Master’s degree or higher in social work, 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.

Two years of paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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, including Family Assessment Response, Child Protective Services Investigations, Family Voluntary Services, Child and Family Welfare Services, Family Reconciliation Services, Adoptions, and Interstate Compact.

Pay

$78,504 - $105,612 Annually

This position requires a minimum of 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 appointment. Degrees must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Foreign degrees must include equivalency certification from a NACES-approved organization.