DSHS SCC Residential Rehabilitation Counselor 3

State of Washington • Pierce County – Steilacoom, WA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration, is seeking a Residential Rehabilitation Counselor 3 to work at the Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island in Puget Sound. The role involves guiding staff who work with adult residents who may have behavioral health needs, be aging, or require intensive one-to-one care, close observation, and active engagement. Residents may pose immediate safety risks to themselves or others, be vulnerable to harm, attempt to escape, or engage in property damage or sabotage.

The position supports staff with daily unit operations and resident interactions, provides leadership during incidents, and helps residents work toward treatment and living-unit goals. The work is performed on McNeil Island, and employees must be willing to travel daily by ferry and bus. Ferry transportation is provided to employees. SCC employees receive an additional $10 per day in premium pay and a free ORCA transportation card. Positions performed on-site at this work location at least three days per week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay.

DSHS emphasizes fairness, access, social justice, inclusion, belonging, and meaningful work in serving Washingtonians across diverse backgrounds and needs. A background check, including criminal record history, may be conducted before hire. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Requirements

• Two years of experience providing direct care in a residential or inpatient behavioral health setting; or one year of experience as a supervisor/lead worker and one year of direct-care experience in a residential or inpatient behavioral health setting; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
• Ability to de-escalate tense situations using clear, respectful communication.
• Ability to give residents and staff clear, direct instructions and keep supervisors informed.
• Ability to write accurate, detailed reports about incidents and resident behavior.
• Ability to work through resident concerns with staff to find fair, workable solutions.
• Ability to treat residents and coworkers fairly and respectfully across differences in background, culture, and ability.
• Willingness to travel daily by ferry and bus to McNeil Island.
• A valid driver's license is required for employees driving on state business. Employees using a privately owned vehicle on state business must maintain liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Help staff explain and apply policies, procedures, and unit rules to residents.
• Encourage residents to participate in approved activities.
• Support staff with unit operations and daily contact with residents.
• Help staff prepare behavior reports, incident reports, witness statements, and observation reports when residents break rules or behave unsafely.
• Work with staff to resolve resident concerns and answer resident questions.
• Encourage residents to pursue their treatment and living-unit goals.
• Give residents clear daily direction and take the lead when staff respond first to incidents.
• Guide residential counselors through daily routines and model steady responses during incidents.
• Cover other units, fill in as unit staff, and provide breaks as needed.
• Stay alert when working alone on a unit and determine when to call for help.

Benefits

• Ferry transportation to McNeil Island is provided to employees.
• Additional $10 per day premium pay for Special Commitment Center employees.
• Free ORCA card for transportation use.
• Positions performed on-site at least three days per week may be eligible for additional 5% premium pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed