DSHS CSTC Psychiatric Youth Counselor 2

DSHS Child Study and Treatment Center (CSTC) in Lakewood is looking for caring, dedicated people who have a strong interest in helping adolescents who have behavioral health diagnoses. You will provide counseling services to resident patients in one of the “cottage” settings for a particular age group at DSHS's CSTC.

In this role, you will serve with a multi-dimensional care team assisting the development of appropriate social skills, including the development of problem-solving and decision-making skills that each youth will use when they return to their communities. Working alongside teachers and instructional assistants in a residential setting, you will implement developmentally appropriate approaches to provide treatment, counseling, and supervision to children and youth. We are hiring for both permanent and on-call opportunities. When scheduled for on-call, you usually know your schedule a month in advance and can expect up to full-time hours during the week(s) scheduled. Additionally, on-call shifts

• Can give you a great foot-in-the-door to state employment,
• The ability to earn supplemental income, or
• Allow you the flexibility in your schedule for work-life balance.

Whether permanent or on-call, these are great opportunities for you to gain valuable evidence-based counseling experience working with children in an in-patient setting.

We offer a rewarding career and the opportunity to learn and grow. We currently have multiple vacancies at the Orcas, Ketron, San Juan, and Camano Cottages available.

Resident patients live in one of four cottages determined by age where they have their own bedrooms and a shared day area. Each cottage has its own kitchen and dining room. Admissions are due to forensic issues or CLIP (Download PDF reader) referrals. Information on all four cottages and age groups is available here.

Opportunities performed on site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Don't delay - apply today!

Some of what you will do

• Assist the treatment team in providing services to youth and families with a complex range of diagnoses and treatment needs, while maintaining a safe, comfortable, therapeutic learning environment.
• Provide situational counseling, mentorship, and individualized behavior plans to adolescent and pre-adolescent children.
• Facilitate the development of social skills, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Assist and escort youth with activities of daily living, education, recreation, and appointments and provide the abilities to be able to manage their relationships, life events, and daily activities.
• As a member of the Advance Crisis Intervention Team, therapeutically intervene or de-escalate behavioral issues
• Provide mentoring and crisis management for parents/guardians.
• Lead therapy groups to improve growth and social skills.
• Provide patients with abilities to manage their relationships, life events, and daily aspects of living to successfully transition back into the community.

What we are looking for

• Professionals who have four years of social service experience.
• Or, a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in sociology, education, recreation, psychology, or related social science field.
• Or, two years of college with emphasis in social sciences, education, recreation, psychology, or related field, plus two years of social service experience (or a combination of both totaling at least 4 years).
• Ability to complete WA DOH's Agency Affiliated Counselor credentialing process within 60 days of hire.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Work as a team member to deescalate behavioral health issues in a calm, non-threatening manner.
• Comprehend normal and abnormal growth and development, dynamics of interpersonal relationships, mental health concepts, and community resources.
• Understand and apply behavioral approaches such as Positive Behavioral Support, Life-Space Crisis Intervention, and Developmental and Dialectical Therapy techniques.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Interested? Apply today.

Questions? Email [email protected] or call the main Talent Acquisition line at 360-725-5810 and reference job number 2025-07362.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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