DSHS DDA SOCR Attendant Counselor 2

State of Washington; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card for transportation

Job summary

DSHS DDA SOCR Attendant Counselor 2 is a civilian role in Washington State. The position supports adults and children with developmental disabilities in Graham, Puyallup, and Spanaway through person‑centered care and habilitative services.

You will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to implement individualized plans, promote health and safety, and encourage community participation. You will provide direct care and behavioral supports, document changes, and assist with daily activities,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• One year of experience with people with developmental disabilities in health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential settings.
• Knowledge of habilitative services and positive behavior supports.
• Ability to document services accurately and work with families and healthcare professionals.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and habilitative support to promote independence and daily living skills.
• Implement individualized plans including behavioral supports and medication assistance as delegated.
• Monitor and report changes in health, behavior, and safety, ensuring well‑being and protection.
• Support activities in home and community, including transport using state vehicles.
• Collaborate with families and professionals to deliver coordinated services.
• Maintain records, inventories, and a safe living environment; complete safety checks.
• Join team meetings, trainings, and quality improvement activities per agency policies.

Skills

Habilitative services

Person-centered supports

Positive behavior support

Developmental disabilities

Compassionate care

Documentation and reporting

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Transportation safety

Education

High school diploma/GED

Job description

DSHS DDA SOCR – Attendant Counselor 2

Join our team supporting adults and children with developmental disabilities in a State Operated Community Residential (SOCR) program, where every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. We are hiring Attendant Counselors to provide residential support services in the Graham, Puyallup, and Spanaway areas.

As an Attendant Counselor, you will provide person-centered care and habilitative support that empowers individuals to build independence, develop life skills, and actively participate in their communities. Working as part of a dedicated interdisciplinary team, you'll help implement individualized support plans, promote health and safety, provide positive behavioral supports, and create a safe, inclusive environment where each person can thrive.

Some of what you'll do:

• Provide direct care, habilitative support, and instruction that promotes independence, daily living skills, and an enhanced quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Implement individualized support plans, including positive behavioral supports, activities of daily living, therapeutic programs, and nurse-delegated medication assistance.
• Monitor, document, and report changes in clients' physical, behavioral, and emotional well-being while helping ensure their health, safety, and protection from abuse or neglect.
• Support clients in home and community activities, including recreational, educational, employment, medical, and social appointments, and safely transport clients using state-owned vehicles.
• Partner with families, guardians, healthcare providers, and other members of each client's support team to provide coordinated, person-centered services.
• Maintain accurate documentation, client records, inventories, and a clean, safe, and organized living environment while completing required safety checks.
• Participate in team meetings, required training, and continuous improvement efforts while following agency policies, procedures, and established care standards.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of habilitative services, person-centered supports, positive behavior support strategies, and developmental disabilities.
• Ability to provide compassionate, respectful, and professional care while promoting client dignity, independence, and quality of life.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and appropriately respond to changes in client health, behavior, emergencies, and crisis situations using sound judgment.
• Ability to accurately implement individualized support plans, nurse-delegated tasks, medication procedures, and written medical or program instructions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively document services and collaborate with clients, families, healthcare professionals, and team members.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to safely transport clients and support daily living activities, including meal preparation, household tasks, and basic financial assistance when needed.

Who should apply?

We are searching for professionals with:

• A high school diploma/GED

• One year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities in mental health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential settings.

Additional information:

• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• The locations for this position are located throughout Pierce County, specifically in Graham, Puyallup, and Spanaway. Applicants must be able to travel to all three locations.
• Work schedule for current openings:
  • Full-Time: Thursday – Monday from 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Full-Time: Wednesday – Sunday from 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • On-Call

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at [e-mail] and reference job number #07861. 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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure 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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