DSHS ESA DDS Adjudicator 3

About the Department

DSHS ESA DDS Adjudicator 3

Duty station location: Olympia

Every day, people across Washington wait to hear decisions about their Disability claim. Behind each claim is someone that can not work because of various reasons often outside of their control. This job will decide whether that person gets the support they requested.

DSHS's Disability Determination Services (DDS) operates under contract with the Social Security Administration. The division reviews claims for Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income, and DSHS Non-Grant Medical Assistance. Staff across the state's DDS offices process nearly 1,700 new claims a week. 

As a DDS Adjudicator 3, you will review medical, vocational, and legal records for disability claims. You will look at the full picture of a person's health and work history, then write a clear decision explaining whether a claim is approved, denied, continued, or stopped. You will work independently, managing your own caseload from start to finish. This work can be challenging, but it's rewarding. You'll help people get support when they need it most, while making sure state funds are allocated fairly and consistently.

Please note: This position currently has the option to work a flexible/hybrid schedule, based on business needs, once Federal credentials have been successfully issued to the employee. In-office training as well as travel may be required as the business needs arise.

Some of what you'll do:

• Review Social Security Disability and State Non-Grant claims, including continuing disability reviews, age 18 redeterminations, and initial applications and reconsiderations.
• Gather and study medical, vocational, and legal records to understand each person's situation.
• Decide when a claim needs more medical evidence and order the exams needed to make a fair decision.
• Confirm that all requested medical records are complete and flag any gaps or anomalies.
• Write clear decisions that explain whether a claim is approved, denied, continued, or stopped.
• Set the date for the next review on claims that are approved or continued.
• Explain a claimant's rights, including the right to appeal a decision.
• Mentor and support newer adjudicators as opportunities arise.
• Refer cases with signs of fraud to the Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit.
• Identify cases where drug or alcohol use affects a disability claim.
• Attend team meetings and required training to stay current on policies and procedures.

Who should apply? Those that meet the following criteria:

Two years of successful experience as an adjudicator of Social Security Disability claims within the last 3 years.
AND either:
- a bachelor's degree.
OR
-four or more years of professional experience working with disability, medical or insurance claims adjudication or investigation, health care, unemployment, workers compensation, social services, or related field.

Equivalent education/experience.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Communication: Explains complex medical and legal information clearly, both in writing and verbally.
• Analysis: Reads and interprets medical and vocational records accurately, then identifies what matters most to the decision.
• Judgment: Works through subjective or conflicting evidence and reaches a sound, well-supported conclusion.
• Composure: Handles disagreements and difficult conversations with professionalism.
• Technology: Learns and confidently uses multiple case processing systems to manage an active caseload.
• Time management: Balances a full caseload against firm deadlines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Empathy: Responds to people in difficult situations with compassion, while staying objective and fair.
• Equity: Applies consistent standards to every claim and treats each person with respect and empathy.

interested? Apply today!
 
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.
 
Questions? Please contact DSHS Recruiter, Georgina Pringle, at [email protected] and reference job number 05897.
 

Other Qualifications

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."

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.

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.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov