DSHS Maple Lane Psychology Associate

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Grand Mound (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% on-site premium (3 days/week)

Job summary

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services — Maple Lane is seeking a Psychology Associate (Court Evaluator) to perform court-ordered evaluations, establish diagnoses, and prepare legal documentation for civil commitment proceedings.

You will provide expert testimony and contribute to psycho-legal opinions to support judicial decisions. The role emphasizes collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, compliance with RCW 71.05, and maintaining precise documentation in the EHR.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage & family therapy from an accredited institution.
• Pending or Active WA state licensure (Agency Affiliated Counselor) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Conduct court-ordered evaluations related to civil commitment, conditional release, and less restrictive alternative orders.
• Establish diagnoses and prepare required legal documentation for civil commitment proceedings.
• Provide expert testimony to the court and support psycho-legal opinions.

Skills

Clinical interviewing

Documentation

Therapeutic communication

Time management

De-escalation

Multidisciplinary collaboration

EHR proficiency

Legal knowledge (RCW 71.05)

Education

Master’s degree in psychology or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

DSHS Maple Lane – Psychology Associate (Court Evaluator)

Join our team as a Psychology Associate (Court Evaluator) at Maple Lane, located near Centralia, Washington, where your clinical expertise plays a critical role at the intersection of behavioral health and the legal system.

In this role, you will conduct court-ordered evaluations related to civil commitment, conditional release, and less restrictive alternative orders, establish diagnoses, and prepare required legal documentation for civil commitment proceedings. You will also provide expert testimony to the court, supporting psycho-legal opinions regarding diagnoses, grounds for commitment, and placement readiness. This position is essential to ensuring informed judicial decision-making, protecting individual rights, and supporting public safety through thorough, objective, and clinically sound evaluations.

About Maple Lane BHTC

Behavioral Health Treatment Center Maple Lane provides innovative treatment for residents who are civilly committed or adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). Through smaller, community-based residential units, Maple Lane supports Washington State’s vision of behavioral health care delivered closer to home, family, and support systems, helping residents maintain meaningful community connections.

Maple Lane is a key business unit within the Department of Social and Health Services Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration. Our dedicated staff provide residents with enriching opportunities and therapeutic experiences outside of a hospital setting, supporting a successful transition back into the community. This is an excellent opportunity to join a team committed to modernizing and strengthening behavioral health treatment across Washington State.

Some of what you'll do:

• Appropriately contribute current, accurate, relevant, and behaviorally descriptive documentation in the resident’s Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Prepare and submit petitions, affidavits, letters, and other documentation for civil commitment legal proceedings.
• Provide expert testimony under direct and cross-examination in support of psycho-legal opinions, including diagnoses, grounds for commitment, and placement readiness.
• Document evaluations, reports, and court-related activities in the medical record, as required.
• Participate in clinical supervision, required clinical meetings, and mandatory Department of Social and Health Services and Behavioral Health Administration trainings.
• Serve on committees and perform other duties, as assigned.
• Collaborate with multiple disciplines, including direct consultation with a psychiatric provider as your co-petitioner to assess and determine residents' functioning, treatment progress, and readiness for discharge.
• Effectively communicate relevant clinical observations and recommendations to the resident's treatment team.
• Assist in formulating treatment goals based on resident’s civil commitment grounds and discharge readiness.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of RCW 71.05, relevant court decisions, and applicable state and federal laws related to the civil commitment of individuals with mental illness.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document, organize, and present information in professional and legal settings.
• Experience conducting clinical interviews, reviewing third-party information, and administering and interpreting standardized assessments in inpatient or outpatient mental health settings.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships, apply de-escalation techniques, and interact effectively with individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
• Ability to learn and maintain working knowledge of Department of Social and Health Services, Behavioral Health Administration, and facility-specific policies, procedures, and standards.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workload demands through effective organization, time management, self-motivation, and openness to feedback and supervision.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, external agencies, and under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, while utilizing intermediate computer skills to complete required documentation and scheduling tasks.

Who should apply?

• A master’s degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy from an accredited institution
• Pending or Active registration as a WA State Agency Affiliated Counselor or professional licensure in the State of Washington.

Additional information:

• Work schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday
• 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.

Why join us?

We partner with people to access support, care, and resources. DSHS employees make a difference in WA State every day by supporting sustainable recovery, independence, and wellness. See why people like you choose careers at DSHS.

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.

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.

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 (Necopism) 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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