INTERNAL ONLY Group Care Licensing Supervisor (SSS5) - Tacoma

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

**This position is open to current DCYF employees only**

Job Title: Group Care Licensing Supervisor (SSS5)

Location: Tacoma, WA - This position is full-time/flexible/hybrid. This position will cover Regions 5 & 6 and has flexible/hybrid location options available within these regions.

Closes: Monday, March 2nd, 2026

Salary: $6,576 - $8,842 Monthly.

Licensing Division has a great opportunity! We are currently hiring a permanent Group Care Licensing Supervisor (SSS5) to join our Group Care Licensing team.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
As the Group Care Licensing Supervisor (SSS5), you will provide coaching, mentoring, on the job training and assistance in the transition of staff from a formal training program to fieldwork. You will provide supervision to a unit of Group Care Licensors (SSS3) and one Group Care Lead (SSS4) serving Regions 5 & 6, with additional statewide responsibilities as organizational needs arise. The incumbent of this position will guide and support licensing activities for licensed group care providers and assists in the development and implementation of the Residential Private School (RPS) licensure. You will collaborate with internal and external partners to advance high quality care and ensure the safety and well being of children and youth.

This position utilizes cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with staff, clients and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.

If you are ready for a growth opportunity in the social services field and have a passion for protecting children, we encourage you to apply today and see all that DCYF has to offer.

Some of what you'll get to do:

• Prioritize and assign work to a unit of licensing staff.
• Demonstrate, monitor, teach and mentor Group Care Licensors and a Social Service Specialist 4 with:
  • Developing partnerships with community providers.
  • Focusing on practical everyday life tasks.
  • Promoting specific skills tied to the interpretation and enforcement of WAC when needed to meet the needs of child safety, permanency and well-being.
• Provide informal training regarding licensing functions and home study assessment requirements, licensing and relicensing of Group Care Facilities and arrange for formal agency training for staff.
• Develop onboarding training plans for incoming Group Care Licensors and Social Service Specialist 4.
• 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.
• Provide case consultation and review of Group Care and RPS forms based on compliance with the Revised Code of Washington and Washington Administration Code.
• Approve Group Care and RPS Facilities and renewals, Review and approve all licensing Provider Actions when intakes are generated on Group Care and RPS Providers.
• Provide quality assurance for health and safety monitoring, compliance agreements, no referral actions, denials, suspensions and revocation of licenses and disqualification of background checks.
• Review group care files and RPS files based on compliance with the Revised Code of Washington and Washington Administration Code. Approved facilities for new licensure and for renewal.
• Provide oversight on program evaluations that include initial and ongoing assessment of:
  • Program policies.
  • Staff qualifications and references.
  • Personnel records.
  • Child records and treatment plans.
  • Results of background checks including criminal history and child abuse registry.
  • Suitability for placements.
  • Physical facility and grounds.
  • Compliance with all other minimum licensing requirements.

Required Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

• One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND four (4) years of paid social service experience.

OR

• A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or any degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND three (3) years of paid social service experience.

AND

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

Note(s):
*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 assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

*Incumbent must complete Social Service Specialist Training (RCT), Supervisor Core Training (SCT), as well as specialized Licensing training.

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

• Working understanding of agency policies, WAC and RCW related to licensed facilities.

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:

• Resume (current/updated)

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 mission 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.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will 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 position.

This position requires a minimum of at least two (2) years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. 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, click here.

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

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Veronica Jones (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at veronica.jones@dcyf.wa.gov. 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.

2026-01231

Salary

• $6,576 - $8,842/month

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