DSHS DDA Psychology Associate

State of Washington

Shoreline (WA)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay

Free ORCA card

Job summary

Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) in Shoreline seeks a Psychology Associate to guide adults with developmental disabilities in SOLA homes. You will study challenging behaviors, build plans reducing harm, and promote safer, more independent skills, while training staff and providing consultation across programs.

The role emphasizes clinical oversight, data-driven evaluation, and collaboration with mental health professionals to protect housing stability and community supports.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited program.
Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential per RCW 18.380.050.

Responsibilities

Conduct functional behavior assessments and develop behavior support plans.
Oversee behavior support services for individuals with complex needs.
Train and supervise Psychology Affiliates and SOLA staff.
Consult with field services and mental health professionals during crises and daily challenges.
Coordinate with providers and ensure confidentiality and good communication.

Skills

Behavioral analysis

Clinical oversight

Data analysis

Supervision & training

Consultation

Communication

Program knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in psychology

Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential

Job description

Psychology Associate

Adults with developmental disabilities living in DSHS's State Operated Living Alternative (SOLA) homes in Shoreline need steady, expert guidance when behavior challenges put their housing and safety at risk. As a Psychology Associate, you'll provide that guidance. You'll study each client's behavior, including complex needs like mental health conditions, additional disabilities, dementia, substance use, or traumatic brain injury, and build a plan that reduces harmful behavior and encourages safer, more independent skills.

Description

This work protects people's ability to stay in their homes and communities. When a client's behavior puts their housing at risk, you'll step in early with a plan that addresses what's really going on, before things reach a crisis point.

You'll also build the skill of the people around each client. You'll train and supervise the Psychology Affiliates, model interventions directly for staff, and provide consultation across SOLA programs, ensuring that informed, consistent care doesn't depend on just one person being in the room.

Additional pay incentives

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
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.

Some of what you'll do

Conduct and write functional behavior assessments for clients with challenging behaviors.
Develop, put into action, monitor, and evaluate positive behavior support plans.
Oversee behavior support services for clients with needs that may include mental health conditions, autism, dementia, substance use, or traumatic brain injury.
Direct interventions that reduce harmful behavior and build pro-social, adaptive skills.
Identify service gaps and resources that help clients keep their housing and community supports.
Use data systems, including Therap, to track and analyze how well treatment plans are working.
Consult with DDA Field Services staff during crises and help build Cross Systems Crisis Plans.
Review requests for exceptions to policy or procedure involving restrictive practices and make recommendations.
Coordinate with mental health providers and other professionals on client care.
Supervise, train, and support the Psychology Affiliate role.
Provide training and technical assistance to help SOLA staff improve behavior support services.
Model behavior support strategies directly for staff in participants' homes.
Teach evidence-based practices for identifying, measuring, and changing behavior.
Observe clients and staff in participants' homes to consult on behavior concerns.
Select, train, and evaluate staff, and resolve performance issues when needed.
Represent DDA at community and agency meetings.

Who should apply?

We Are Seeking Professionals Who

A master’s degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology. AND
Are credentialed as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) meeting requirements of RCW 18.380.050.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities We Are Looking For

Behavioral analysis: Applies applied behavior analysis and functional assessment methods to build and oversee sound behavior support plans.
Clinical oversight: Directs behavior support services for clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities with complex needs, including mental health conditions, additional disabilities, dementia, substance use, and traumatic brain injury.
Data analysis: Collects and interprets behavior data using systems like Therap to track whether a plan is working.
Supervision and training: Supervises, trains, and evaluates staff, including the Psychology Affiliate role, and resolves performance concerns.
Consultation: Provides guidance to SOLA staff, families, and Field Services during crises and everyday behavior challenges.
Communication: Builds working relationships with a wide range of people and communicates clearly, in writing and in person.
Program knowledge: Knows DDA programs, community-based long-term services and supports, and confidentiality requirements.

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.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Georgina Pringle at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #07443.

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.

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.
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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) 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
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Updated 01-07-2026

What is your highest level of education in psychology?

Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology
Doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD)
Other graduate degree in a related field
None of the above

Do you currently hold a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential that meets the requirements of RCW 18.380.050?

I currently hold an active Washington State Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) credential.
I currently hold an active Licensed Behavior Analyst credential in another state.
I am eligible to obtain Washington State LBA licensure but do not currently hold the credential.
I do not hold and am not eligible for LBA licensure.

How many years of professional experience do you have as a Psychology Associate or Behavioral Specialist working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities?