DSHS BHHA Diversion Services Coordinator

Full Job Description

Work where behavioral health meets real-world impact.

In this role, you won't just provide services — you'll help redirect lives away from incarceration and toward treatment. Every interaction has the potential to change someone's path.

Join the Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) Office of Forensic Mental Health Services at the SCORE facility in Des Moines — serving as the sole social worker embedded onsite, bridging systems and driving diversion efforts.

Within your first year, you will:

• Manage a dual caseload supporting individuals in custody and those released to the community
• Build strong working relationships with corrections staff, attorneys, and service providers
• Connect individuals with appropriate behavioral health and community-based resources
• Contribute to measurable diversion outcomes (engagement, referrals, service linkage)
• Operate independently while balancing facility and community-based responsibilities
• Conduct timely screenings to identify candidates for diversion services
• Establish DSHS presence and credibility within the SCORE facility

You will serve as a standalone DSHS representative embedded within the SCORE corrections facility in Des Moines. While working closely with onsite medical and corrections staff, success in this role depends on independence, initiative, and the ability to build trust across multiple systems.

This is a fully onsite role based at the SCORE facility and in the surrounding community. The position requires regular in-person engagement with clients and partners. This is a project-based role funded through June 2027. This role is also eligible for 5% premium King County pay.

Ready to make a direct impact in forensic behavioral health? Apply today.


Who Should Apply
You may be a strong fit if you:

• Hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) and have experience supporting individuals with behavioral health needs
• Are comfortable working in both structured (corrections) and community-based environments
• Have one year or more work experience coordinating care across systems such as healthcare, legal, or social services

Some of What You Will Do

• Manage day-to-day caseload activities across incarcerated and community-based populations
• Build and maintain relationships with attorneys, law enforcement, and services organizations
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams inside the facility and in the community
• Coordinate services and referrals to community behavioral health providers
• Operate independently while balancing multiple priorities and environments
• Screen individuals within a corrections setting for diversion eligibility
• Track and support client engagement through diversion pathways

What We're Looking For – Required Competencies

• Clinical Judgment: assesses behavioral health needs and determines appropriate service pathways
• Autonomy & Accountability: manages workload independently while meeting program expectations
• Communication: clearly conveys information to clients, partners, and multidisciplinary teams
• Adaptability: effectively shifts between structured and community-based environments
• Relationship Building: establishes trust with diverse stakeholders across systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with diversion programs or legal system coordination
• Experience in corrections, forensic mental health, or justice-involved settings
• Experience navigating community behavioral health or substance use treatment systems

To Apply
Click the green "APPLY" button to submit your application. Be sure to include:

• Your resume
• Your cover letter
• Three professional references

Questions?
Email recruiter Kris George at kris.george@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 02496.

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.

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.

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