DSHS WSH Forensic Psychologist

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid leave and retirement benefits

Education and training opportunities

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking Psychologists for the Gage Center of Forensic Services at Western State Hospital. The roles involve leading a multidisciplinary team in competency restoration and related forensic programs, using trauma-informed care to work with complex cases.

Candidates should hold a Doctoral degree in Psychology with preferred two years in inpatient/forensic settings, and be approved to take EPPP in WA or already licensed.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited program.
• Two years of doctoral experience in inpatient or forensic settings preferred.
• Formal training in evidence-based treatment modalities or forensic/psychological testing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Therapeutically engage with patients.
• Consult with the team and stakeholders regarding patient care and procedures.
• Provide psychoeducation and modeling leadership to clinical staff.
• Complete violence and suicidal risk assessments.
• Implement evidence-based treatment practices.
• Conduct psychological testing and provide court testimony where applicable.
• Complete required documentation per professional, hospital, and CMS standards.

Skills

Doctoral degree in Psychology

Trauma-informed care

Team leadership

Evidence-based treatments

Psychoeducation

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology

Two years doctoral experience in inpatient/forensic setting

Job description

Description

Are you looking for a meaningful career in forensics with room to grow, job stability, consultation opportunities, and a chance to work within a multidisciplinary team? If you are passionate about working with severely behavioral ill patients, we have a spot for you! Check out Western State Hospital's Gage Center of Forensic Services (aka CFS), located on the historical Fort Steilacoom Campus and currently under expansion.

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. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

We're hiring motivated, enthusiastic candidates to work as Psychologists in either of two forensic programs under RCW 10.77 - Competency Restoration (Comp Rest) and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). Both programs are under review and evolving, so if you're interested in systemic and programmatic improvements, challenges, and rewards, this is for you.

In either program, you will work with patients with complex, challenging, and diverse cases from a trauma-informed care approach. As a multidisciplinary team member, you will be a team lead and consultant, ensuring the team uses evidence-based treatment modalities and behavior management strategies.

Outside of typical work duties, there are opportunities to enhance your professional development and leadership skills, teach various disciplines about psychological concepts, develop and inform policy and standards of practice, obtain free continuing education units, join committees, supervise students, and conduct research. There is much more offered. Let's talk.

Some of what you will be doing (depending on the program):

• Therapeutically engage with patients
• Consulting with the team and other stakeholders regarding patient care, practices, and procedure
• Support non-medical and medical clinical staff by providing psychoeducation and appropriate modeling leadership
• Complete assessments of violence and suicidal risk
• Implement evidence-based treatment practices
• Conduct psychological testing
• Provide court testimony (where applicable)
• Complete required documentation according to professional, hospital, and CMS standards.

Who should apply?

Professionals with a Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited school or department of psychology and preferably two years of doctoral experience working in an inpatient or forensic setting with a severely behavioral ill population. Individuals with formal training in evidence-based treatment modalities or forensic/psychological testing are preferred.

In-training positions are available, but you must be approved to take EPPP in WA state or have passed EPPP and applied for licensure in WA state.

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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.

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.

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 https://www.shrm.org/about-shrm/features/Pages/relationships-and-reporting-structure.aspx. 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

on your website and on printed materials.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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