DSHS Fircrest Attendant Counselor Manager

State of Washington; Shoreline (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay

Free ORCA card

Additional 5% on-site premium

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services seeks an Attendant Counselor Manager for Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline, WA. You’ll lead a team delivering crisis stabilization and habilitation services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and ensure plans are followed with care and dignity.

You will train staff, coordinate care, monitor performance, and collaborate with families and health providers.

Qualifications

• Ability to train, supervise, and provide timely feedback to staff while managing multiple urgent issues.
• Understanding of client care policies, workplace practices, HR protocols, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Strong communication and collaboration with families, clients, and providers; problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Experience working with people with developmental disabilities and ability to support daily living skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support Attendant Counselors by setting goals and assigning daily work.
• Interview, hire, train, and coach staff to provide excellent care.
• Monitor staff performance, give feedback, and take corrective action as needed.
• Coordinate health care, medication, and specialized treatments for clients.
• Review documentation and incident reports for accuracy and compliance.
• Rotate in standby schedule to ensure 24/7 support.
• Represent the administration in meetings, trainings, and community events.

Skills

Staff leadership

Policy knowledge

Communication

Client care

Technology skills

Flexibility

Job description

Description

Are you ready to lead a team that provides short-term crisis stabilization services for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who require intensive support to assist them in remaining safe and in the community.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking an Attendant Counselor Manager to join the team at Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center in Shoreline, WA. Fircrest School provides 24/7 comprehensive care and habilitation services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Located in Shoreline, Wash., Fircrest School is state-operated and its employees take pride in providing high quality, person-centered care and support to approximately 200 residents. Fircrest School is certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

This role blends leadership, teamwork, and compassion, with teaching and training staff to implement individualized programs, plans, and services that are designed to provide skills and encourage independence. We will count on your leadership capability to ensure that staff work collectively to support our clients’ training and personal growth. You’ll also work closely with families, health care providers, and case managers to make sure support plans are followed with care and dignity.

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.

The shift for this position is: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Lead and support Attendant Counselors by setting goals and assigning daily work
• Interview, hire, train, and coach staff so they provide excellent care
• Monitor staff performance, give feedback, and take corrective action when needed
• Ensure staff follow support plans, agency policies, and state requirements
• Coordinate health care, medication, and specialized treatments for clients
• Keep client homes clean, safe, and person-centered
• Support clients with daily living skills like cooking, cleaning, bathing, and money management
• Review documentation, client records, and incident reports for accuracy and compliance
• Communicate clearly with families, guardians, and community partners
• Rotate in the standby schedule to ensure 24/7 support
• Step in to provide direct care when needed
• Represent the administration in meetings, trainings, and community events

Additional Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities We Are Looking For

• Staff leadership – Ability to train, supervise, and provide effective, timely feedback to staff while managing and prioritizing multiple urgent issues
• Policy knowledge – Comprehensive understanding of client care, agency policies, workplace practices, human resource protocols, and collective bargaining agreements
• Communication and collaboration – Strong skills in working with employees, clients, families, and the public, including addressing problem-solving and conflict resolution professionally
• Client care – Capability to work with clients who may have challenging behaviors, dual diagnoses, community protection concerns, or health issues, while meeting mandatory reporting requirements
• Technology skills – Proficiency in basic computer functions such as email, word processing, and internet use, along with the ability to write professional reports, programs, and plans
• Flexibility – Willingness to perform on-call or standby duties, lead teams effectively, and adapt to changing program needs

Who should apply?

High school graduation or GED and four years of experience working with people with developmental disabilities

OR

High school graduation or GED and four years of experience as an Attendant Counselor 1, equivalent or higher level state class

Questions? Please reach out to Alex Baclaan at [e-mail] and reference 08233.

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 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 [phone]. 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 (Lebot) 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.

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.

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 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

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026