Recently Reactivated

Posted: March 11, 2026 (2 days ago)

Reactivated: March 12, 2026

This job reappeared after being removed. Worth checking if still available.

DSHS BHHA Attendant Counselor 2

State of Washington

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Reactivated

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$3,840 - $5,136

per month

Closes

March 16, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job involves supporting children and youth with developmental disabilities by teaching daily living skills, providing personal care, managing behaviors, and helping them integrate into the community while living in residential homes.

It's ideal for compassionate, patient individuals who enjoy mentoring and working directly with kids who have unique needs.

No advanced degree is required, and paid training is available for those new to the field.

Key Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED
  • One year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities in settings like mental health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential programs (or eligible for paid in-training position without experience)
  • Willingness to work with children and youth who may have mental health conditions
  • Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Ability to work independently and in a team
  • Punctuality, responsibility, and positive attitude
  • Capability to follow policies, maintain records, and use electronic data systems

Full Job Description

DSHS Attendant Counselor 2

Want to put your compassion to work? Are you eager and ready to coach, teach, mentor, and support children and youth with developmental disabilities?

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the State Operated Community Residential (SOCR) programs and Children’s SOLA -West program of the Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration (BHHA), has an exciting opportunity for an Attendant Counselor 2.

We need your passion, skills, and positive attitude to provide support, personal care, supervision, and training to children in their homes. Each of our clients has unique support needs.

Your support may include teaching daily living skills, performing personal care and household tasks, facilitating community integration and relationship building, as well as assisting with medication administration, and managing behaviors.

This opportunity provides paid training, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to make an incredible difference in the lives of children and youths.

Be part of our hard-working team of professionals at Intensive Habilitation Services (IHS) in Lakewood, WA.

You'll Get Competitive Pay and Great State Benefits As You:

  • Coach, teach, and mentor children and youth with intellectual disabilities
  • Assist and teach participants in all areas of daily living skills
  • Implement Individual Support Plan programs, plans, and services
  • Transport and accompany clients to appointments, or other activities in the community
  • Form relationships with people
  • Keep the resident's home safe and clean
  • Review, collect, and record participant information and report information that is vital and/or pertinent to home management
  • Utilize an electronic data system to maintain client records and other reports

To Start On Your New Career, We Ask That You Have:

Attendant Counselor 2

  • A high school diploma/GED AND one year of experience working with people with developmental disabilities in mental health facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or residential settings

If you lack one year of experience, we can hire you in a paid training position:

Attendant Counselor 2 In-Training

  • A high school diploma or GED
  • In this position, you get paid while gaining the experience and knowledge you need to qualify for the Attendant Counselor 2 position

Skills and Abilities

  • Willingness to work with children and youth with disabilities who may experience a mental health condition
  • Outgoing and friendly
  • Ability to provide accurate and clear written communications both electronically and verbally
  • Punctual and responsible
  • Ability to work with people with complex support and service needs
  • Effectively communicate with management, peers, residents, and the public as needed
  • Able to work in a team and alone
  • Able to read and follow policies and procedures
  • Maintain great work habits

Additional Information:

  • 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

Questions? Please contact saleen.hernandez@dshs.wa.gov or call Talent Acquisition (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 00912.

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.

Additional 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.

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 (360) 725-5810.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/11/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/6/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5223577