DSHS DDA Attendant Counselor 3

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services invites applications for an Attendant Counselor 3 in Spokane. This role supports people with developmental disabilities, overseeing 24/7 management of the SOCR Transition facility and implementing individualized plans both in the facility and in the community.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED with two years of relevant experience, or two years as Attendant Counselor 1 or equivalent.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required with two years’ experience in developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, or mental health.
• Or two years of Attendant Counselor 1 or higher-level state class experience.
• Equivalent education or experience may satisfy the requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure care aligns with each client’s care plan and directives.
• Implement individualized programs and services based on client needs.
• Use training techniques to guide clients through programs.
• Implement behavioral support plans for challenging behaviors.
• Supervise clients during activities, appointments, and community outings.
• Observe, document, and report changes in clients’ condition.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized residential unit.

Skills

Situational judgment

Mentorship

Communication

Team orientation

Leadership

Professionalism

Behavioral support

Observation

Adaptability

Financial oversight

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Attendant Counselor 3 (AC3)

Are you ready to support people with developmental disabilities in living empowered, safer lives? The State Operated Community Residential (SOCR) program within the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has an opportunity for an Attendant Counselor 3 located in Spokane, WA.

In this role, you will oversee the 24/7 management of the SOCR Transition facility, ensuring support for eligible DDA clients in the program. You will implement, monitor, and assess individual instruction and support plans while providing feedback on goal progress. Additionally, you will facilitate skill development and daily habilitative services, offering instruction and support both in the facility and the community.

Please note: The anticipated schedule for these position are:

Sunday Monday off: 11:15pm-7:15am.

Friday & Saturday off: 7:15am-3:15pm

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. Evening and Night shifts include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate.

See why people like you choose careers with DSHS:

Some of what you'll do:

• Ensures care is provided according to each client's care plan and directives.
• Implements individualized programs and services based on client needs.
• Uses training techniques to help clients follow formal and informal programs.
• Implements behavioral support plans for clients with challenging behaviors.
• Participates in specialized treatment, including exercises, equipment use, and diet modifications.
• Observes, documents, and reports changes in clients' physical or mental condition.
• Reports incidents of suspected abuse, neglect, or unexplained injuries.
• Completes or ensures completion of event reports.
• Supervises and accompanies clients during activities, appointments, and community outings.
• Maintains a clean, safe, and organized residential living unit.

Who should apply?

Professionals with a high school diploma or GED and two years of experience working with people who experience developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.

OR

Two years of experience as an Attendant Counselor 1, equivalent or higher-level state class.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

Additional knowledge, skills and abilities we are looking for:

• Situational judgment – You stay calm and decisive in emergencies, responding with skill and care.
• Mentorship – You guide new and seasoned staff with patience, clarity, and accountability.
• Communication – You share information clearly and professionally—verbally, in writing, and across shifts.
• Financial oversight – This role may support financial reconciliation tasks. Previous experience handling or reconciling client accounts, tracking expenditures, or managing financial records, although not required, could be beneficial.
• Team orientation – You collaborate, support others, and contribute to a stable, respectful work culture.
• Leadership – You confidently direct others, hold high standards, and build trust on every shift.
• Professionalism – You uphold safety, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Behavioral support – You apply structured interventions while keeping respect and dignity at the core.
• Observation – You pick up on small changes in behavior or health and act before problems escalated.
• Adaptability – You navigate changing needs, client behaviors, and staffing challenges without losing focus.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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.

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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