DSHS Maple Lane Psychologist 4

State of Washington; Centralia (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay for on-site work 3+days

Evening/night shift differentials

Job summary

The State of Washington's Behavioral Health and Treatment Center at Maple Lane Campus seeks a Psychologist 4 to provide clinical oversight and deliver psychosocial interventions for residents under forensic and civil commitment. You will supervise staff and coordinate with the court to support treatment progress and safe community reentry.

You will lead an interdisciplinary team, ensure trauma-informed care, conduct risk assessments, and document treatment plans and progress notes, while

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school
• Licensed to practice psychology in Washington state

Responsibilities

• Complete routine risk assessments for public safety and privilege assessments.
• Assist in reviewing resident appropriateness for a residential treatment facility (RTF).
• Conduct psychological testing and assessments to clarify diagnoses and support treatment decisions.
• Oversee integration and implementation of treatment plans.
• Provide psychological interventions and document progress notes (e.g., START, NGRI updates).
• Supervise up to seven Psychology Associates and BH Specialist 2s.
• Ensure trauma-informed, ethical, evidence-based care within program framework.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation for mental health services.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Psychotherapy

Risk assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Education

Doctoral degree in psychology

Tools

WAIS-IV

MMPI-2

MoCA

RBANS

TOMM

DRS-2

Job description

Description

Join our team as a Psychologist 4 at the Behavioral Health and Treatment Center at the Maple Lane Campus.

Behavioral Health Treatment Center Maple Lane offers innovative treatment for residents who are civilly committed or adjudicated not guilty by reason of mental diagnosis. Each residential unit helps shape the future of behavioral health, aligning with Washington State’s vision of community-based care. Treating residents in smaller facilities helps them stay closer to home, family, and support systems, fostering stronger community connections.

You will play an integral role as a psychologist 4, responsible for the clinical oversight of the inter-disciplinary treatment team, delivering psychosocial interventions to an assigned group of residents, and coordinating with the court for residents as needed. In collaboration with the treatment team, you will advise on a resident’s appropriateness for privileges within the scope of applicable forensic and civil commitment policies. In this capacity, you will advise and document community access privileges and will develop clinical targets for residents to meet for treatment progress toward safe community access and eventual release to the community.

You will supervise up to seven Psychology Associates and Behavioral Health Specialist 2s (Peer Support Specialist). You will promote trauma-informed care by monitoring the delivery of evidence-based group and individual therapy, promote effective interpersonal skills regarding treatment, perform appropriate evaluations relevant to a resident’s psycho-diagnostics or other standards as set forward by compliance needs, and implement milieu-based psychosocial rehabilitation techniques.

The Behavioral Health and Treatment Center at Maple Lane Campus is a pioneering competent of DSHS's Behavioral Health & Habilitation Administration (BHHA), where our dedicated staff offers enriching opportunities and experiences outside the hospital setting, preparing them for a smooth transition back into the community. This is a great opportunity to be a team member as BHHA modernizes and enhances behavioral health treatment in Washington State.

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.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Complete routine risk assessments relevant to public safety and privilege assessments.
• Assist in reviewing resident appropriateness for a residential treatment facility (RTF).
• Conduct psychological testing and assessments when necessary to clarify diagnoses, support resource access, determine decision making capacity, and other purposes as necessary.
• Foster interdisciplinary treatment approaches that are trauma-informed and inclusive of the interests and perspectives of treatment team members.
• Oversee and coordinate the implementation of integrated treatment plans.
• Provide psychological interventions; group and individual psychotherapy, completion of documentation (e.g., progress notes, START, NGRI patient assessment update), and development of Behavior Management Plans.
• Participate in meetings with interdisciplinary team.
• Support direct-care staff in managing and responding to high-risk behaviors such as self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, and/or risk of violence towards others.
• You will supervise up to seven Psychology Associates and Behavioral Health Specialist 2s (Peer Support Specialist).
• Ensure the mental health treatment provided is trauma-informed, ethical, evidence-based, and appropriate within the program framework.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation for mental health services.

What We're Looking For

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology;

AND

• Possession of a license to practice psychology in the state of Washington.

Preferred Skills/Abilities

• Experience working with mental health issues in an inpatient setting.
• Experience with the NGRI processes as set out in RCW 10.77, especially pertaining to evidence-based risk assessments.
• Knowledge of and experience delivering “third wave behavioral” therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
• Knowledge of the psychosocial rehabilitation model and its application to inpatient psychiatric residents.
• Ability to assess mental status and administer, score, interpret, and appropriately write up psychological and neuropsychological tests (e.g. DRS-2, MoCA, M-FAST, MMPI-2, RBANS, TOMM, WAIS-IV) to facilitate case formulation, diagnosis, and assessment of dangerousness and/or suitability for discharge to less restrictive facilities.

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 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.

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.

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Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) 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.

Updated 01-07-2026