Salary : $84,984.00 - $114,264.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2025-04634
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: BHHA
Opening Date: 07/09/2025
Closing Date: 7/23/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description DSHS WSH Forensic Psychology Associate Are you looking for a meaningful career in forensics with room to grow, consultation opportunities, and a chance to work within a multidisciplinary team? If you're caring, curious, and motivated to work with individuals experiencing severe behavioral health challenges, we'd love to hear from you. 's Gage Center for Forensic Excellence, located on the historical Fort Steilacoom Campus in Lakewood, is hiring for a Forensic Psychology Associate to join the Competency Restoration (Comp Rest) program. This program is under review and evolving, so if you're interested in systemic and programmatic improvements, challenges, and rewards, this is for you.
In this role, you will expand upon your current mental health and counseling knowledge by delving into complex, challenging and diverse cases. You will be exposed to work within an evolving treatment program that focuses on evidence-based treatment modalities and behavior management strategies.
Outside of typical work duties, there are opportunities to enhance your professional development and leadership skills, inform various disciplines about psychological concepts and practices, obtain free continuing education units, join performance improvement workgroups and supervise students.
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 receive a free Orca card for transportation needs.
Some of what you will be doing: - Design and implement group treatment interventions for competency restoration patients.
- Therapeutically engage with patients.
- Provide individual and/or group treatment daily using evidence-based treatment modalities.
- Participate in ongoing literature review of current treatment interventions for use with severely mentally ill patients.
- Conduct psychological testing.
- Complete assessments of violence and/or suicidal risk.
- Collaborate with colleagues to plan treatment in accordance with hospital and CMS guidelines.
- Complete required documentation according to professional, hospital, and federal standards.
- Provide court testimony (where applicable).
Who should apply: - Professionals with a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, school psychology or marriage and family therapy
from an accredited school.
Within 30 days of hire, a certification as an Agency Affiliated Counselor in the State of Washington must be obtained or an active WA State license as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for: - Clinical experience - Preferably two or more years of post-graduate experience providing psychotherapy, ideally with forensic or inpatient populations.
- Evidence-based practice - Formal training in modalities such as motivational interviewing, CBT, and DBT to guide treatment.
- Assessment of risks- Ability to administer, score, and interpret psychological and forensic tools to inform safety and treatment planning.
- Adaptability - Willingness to contribute to program changes and continuous improvement efforts.
- Case formulation - Skill in developing conceptualizations and tailoring treatment approaches based on clinical and legal data.
- Legal knowledge - Understanding of court decisions, and state and federal laws related to the civil and criminal commitment of individuals with mental illness.
- Professional communication - Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly when consulting or testifying.
See why people like you chose careers with DSHS.
Interested? Apply today!
Questions? Please contact and reference #04634.
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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.
Supplemental Information 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.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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 (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 (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 , 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, are entitled to three (3) 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
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
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Do you have a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, school psychology or marriage and family therapyfrom an accredited school.
Required Question
