Description
Job Title: Critical Incident Review Specialist (MA5)
Location: Olympia, WA (This position is stationed in Olympia WA, and is primarily remote; however, the incumbent must have the ability to travel and attend in-person meetings.)
Closes: 7/1/25
Salary: $6,227 - $8,377. The indicated salary does not include a 3% general wage increase effective July 1st, 2025.
We are looking for a Critical Incident Review Specialist (MA5) to conduct case reviews and evaluate case practice, program, and system issues whose mission is to make improvements to the child welfare system. Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of children in your community? Apply today.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position provides critical incident consultation for DCYF field staff and management on high-profile, high-risk, or other complex cases that primarily involve child near-fatalities or fatalities; specifically a child fatality or near-fatality that is suspicious for abuse or neglect when the family received services from DCYF within 12 months of the child's death or injury. This position is responsible for the completion of legally mandated critical incident reviews of cases involving child near-fatalities or fatalities. This position evaluates cases across the state and is focused on making improvements to the child welfare system.
Some of what you will get to do:
- Conduct clinical analysis of cases.
- Identify and recruit a multidisciplinary team of community professionals.
- Conduct reviews in accordance with statutory requirements under RCW 74.13.640.
- Review and evaluate facts and case-related activities and provide clinical consultation.
- Analyze the case to identify key elements.
- Provide written and oral summaries.
- Review and prepare confidential and often highly sensitive case documents.
- Coordinate and arrange for the testimony of key participants.
- Facilitate and provide an advanced level of professional child welfare expertise.
- Prepare and present the case, documentation, and testimony to the review team.
- Prepare detailed reports documenting the review discussion, findings, and improvement opportunities for review and approval.
- Provide clinical consultation statewide on high-risk, high-profile, or any case as requested by either field staff, regional, or HQ management staff.
- Experience with providing social work practice within a child welfare program.
- Experience in accessing information in FAMLINK.
- Experience reviewing cases for quality assurance purposes and have demonstrated strong writing skills.
Nine years of progressively responsible experience in two or more of the following areas:
- Conducting research
- Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
- Conducting child welfare business analysis and developing requirements
- Leading child welfare business projects
- Managing business operations
- Child welfare business policy development
- Supervising child welfare
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, social science, business administration, public administration, public health, health administration, or a related field AND five years of progressively responsible experience in two or more of the following areas:
- Conducting research
- Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
- Conducting child welfare business analysis and developing requirements
- Leading child welfare business projects
- Managing business operations
- Child welfare business policy development
- Supervising child welfare
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Master's degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field.
- Prior knowledge of DCYF vision, mission, and guiding principles.
- Experience with state and federal statutes and WACs related to child protection, child near-fatalities and fatalities, confidentiality, child welfare, Family Reconciliation Services, foster care licensing, and adoption.
- Experience with DCYF child welfare programs and policies for Intake, CPS, CWS, FRS, Adoption, foster care licensing, or other related programs.
- Experience with Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement principles and methodologies.
- Experience with program evaluation, research methods, data interpretation, monitoring and tracking systems, and procedure analysis.
- Knowledge of social work theories and best practice standards in child protection and child welfare and social work code of ethics.
- Experience with adult learning and professional training principles.
- Knowledge of the impact of critical incidents on child welfare staff.
- Prior experience with assessing safety and risk of abuse and/or neglect of children.
- Understanding of risk management basic principles in a child welfare organization.
- Knowledge of secondary trauma and resources available for staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Children and Family Services Review and Program Improvement Plans.
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
- Cover letter
- 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 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 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 position.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
This position is included in the supervisory bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/
The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.
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.
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.
For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or emails upport@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.