Social Service Program Specialist 1
Apply NowCompany: Pierce County
Location: Tacoma, WA 98444
Description:
Salary: $36.36 - $45.99 Hourly
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00392
Department: Human Services
Division: HS-Homeless Administration
Opening Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This role will support helping people in the community get connected to the resources they need-whether that's housing support, food programs, or other essential services. Day to day, this position will work with community partners, track services and progress, and enter and follow provider contracts in Workday. This position needs to have organizational and technical skills for entering and analyzing data in Excel or databases, using case management software, creating reports, and maybe even joining virtual meetings or trainings.
Why It's a Great Department:
Pierce County Human Services is the community and human services arm of the Pierce County government. It is the largest contributor to Pierce County's safety net, providing services and funding to nearly 170 agencies and governmental jurisdictions. The department collaborates with its community partners, including other public and non-profit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging community and human services' needs. The department strives to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional services system.
We encourage you to learn more about our department by clicking HERE.
Why It's a Great Division:
Pierce County Human Services Homeless Programs supports a crisis response system in which the experience of homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Our goal is an integrated, adaptable, and responsive network of services that supports stability and self-determination for everyone - regardless of economic or social circumstances, and regardless of where they live in the community. Our funding comes from federal, state, and local sources.
We value collaboration. The full engagement of all who live here - across the civic, social, philanthropic, and business sectors - is the only way to ensure a comprehensive and effective response. We prioritize compassion, both for those experiencing homelessness directly and those who struggle with its impact on their families and neighborhoods.
We prioritize equity because we know that the human consequences of inequity affect us all. We work to identify the systemic barriers that keep people from securing and maintaining housing, and we will advocate to undo them.
How to be Successful in the Role:
To succeed as a Social Service Program Specialist 1 with Pierce County Human Services, you'll need strong communication skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and a deep commitment to equity and community impact. Familiarity with human services systems, data tools (like Excel, HMIS, and SharePoint), and trauma-informed practices is key. You'll work closely with internal teams and community partners, contributing to program coordination, compliance, and service delivery that improves lives across the county.
Your Future in this Role:
Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the Supervisors, teams, and the admin team regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, and gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic measures. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build a great career.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
Qualifications
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity, please:
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes, which may include assessments, phone screens, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
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. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program 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 Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
To be considered, applicants are asked to submit a resume. Applications without a resume will not be considered.Did you include a current resume with your application?
Required Question
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Service - Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 25-00392
Department: Human Services
Division: HS-Homeless Administration
Opening Date: 04/25/2025
Closing Date: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Position Summary
Why It's a Great Opportunity:
This role will support helping people in the community get connected to the resources they need-whether that's housing support, food programs, or other essential services. Day to day, this position will work with community partners, track services and progress, and enter and follow provider contracts in Workday. This position needs to have organizational and technical skills for entering and analyzing data in Excel or databases, using case management software, creating reports, and maybe even joining virtual meetings or trainings.
Why It's a Great Department:
Pierce County Human Services is the community and human services arm of the Pierce County government. It is the largest contributor to Pierce County's safety net, providing services and funding to nearly 170 agencies and governmental jurisdictions. The department collaborates with its community partners, including other public and non-profit funders and service providers, to understand current and emerging community and human services' needs. The department strives to create and invest in a comprehensive and integrated regional services system.
We encourage you to learn more about our department by clicking HERE.
Why It's a Great Division:
Pierce County Human Services Homeless Programs supports a crisis response system in which the experience of homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Our goal is an integrated, adaptable, and responsive network of services that supports stability and self-determination for everyone - regardless of economic or social circumstances, and regardless of where they live in the community. Our funding comes from federal, state, and local sources.
We value collaboration. The full engagement of all who live here - across the civic, social, philanthropic, and business sectors - is the only way to ensure a comprehensive and effective response. We prioritize compassion, both for those experiencing homelessness directly and those who struggle with its impact on their families and neighborhoods.
We prioritize equity because we know that the human consequences of inequity affect us all. We work to identify the systemic barriers that keep people from securing and maintaining housing, and we will advocate to undo them.
How to be Successful in the Role:
To succeed as a Social Service Program Specialist 1 with Pierce County Human Services, you'll need strong communication skills, a detail-oriented mindset, and a deep commitment to equity and community impact. Familiarity with human services systems, data tools (like Excel, HMIS, and SharePoint), and trauma-informed practices is key. You'll work closely with internal teams and community partners, contributing to program coordination, compliance, and service delivery that improves lives across the county.
Your Future in this Role:
Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the Supervisors, teams, and the admin team regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, and gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic measures. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build a great career.
Core Daily Responsibilities:
- Assist with data collection, research, and analysis for specific programs.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of a strategic plan for fully utilizing data systems to support program planning.
- Drawing on local data as well as national data, trends, and promising practices, assist with the creation and production of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on system-wide and program-specific performance for internal and external audiences.
- Assist in providing technical assistance to the contractor.
- Assist with program development, conduct research, and gather statistical information.
- Provide support to Advisory Boards, Committees, and Commissions.
Qualifications
- Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in public or business administration or social work, or a related field, AND
- One (1) year of professional social services work experience, which includes work with related programs, contracts, planning, or services required.
- Additional education or experience which clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
- A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.
Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity, please:
- Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
- If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
- If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
- Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes, which may include assessments, phone screens, and interviews.
At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
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. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Our benefits:
Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:
Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days
A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.
Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.
Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25
Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.
Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.
Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program 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 Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.
Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
01
To be considered, applicants are asked to submit a resume. Applications without a resume will not be considered.Did you include a current resume with your application?
- Yes
- No
Required Question