DSHS WSH Psychologist 4

About the Department

DSHS WSH Psychologist 4: Sex Offense Treatment Provider

Join us at the forefront of transforming healthcare! The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) within WA State’s Department of Social and Health Services is seeking a dedicated Psychologist 4: Sex Offense Treatment Provider to join our team at Western State Hospital (WSH) in Lakewood, WA. As one of the largest psychiatric inpatient hospitals west of the Mississippi River, this pivotal role will help us provide treatment, consultation, and evaluation services for this specialized area of mental health.  

As a Sex Offense Treatment Provider, you’ll utilize evidenced-based approaches to evaluation and assessment, to include following professional guidelines and statutory requirements in assessing risk. As part of the process, you will review records, which could include treatment notes, evaluations, police reports, and victim statements etc., in addition to interviewing patients and consulting with treatment team staff and other stakeholders. Your recommendations will help inform discharge planning and work to support a safe transition plan for both the patient and the community.

Your expertise will also extend to providing psychological consultation to staff, offering guidance on psychiatric disorders, treatments, and care strategies, as well facilitating work between contracted providers who currently provide sex offense treatment. You may provide sex offense treatment or other treatment interventions related to sexually problematic behavior, including providing recommendations to treatment teams.

Within this role,  you will participate in and present bulletins to the End of Sentence Review Committee, and will be the formal representative and voting member for WSH, once training requirements have been met. Involvement with this committee will also provide opportunities to learn and collaborate with many agencies within WA state. Additionally, you will chair the Sex Offense Review and Referral Team, which is responsible for overseeing the review process for patients with a history of sex offenses or problematic sexual behavior.

More broadly, this role will also help to support BHA efforts to provide trauma- informed care and champion equity, diversity, access, and inclusion across all facets of work, emphasizing employee engagement, patient care, provider relations, and community partnerships.

In this role, you will:

• Evaluate and testify for individuals who are criminally and civilly committed, following RCWs 10.77 and 71.05 which would include conducting risk assessments, preparing comprehensive forensic evaluation reports, and defending your findings in court, if needed. 
• Provide consultation to treatment teams on individuals with sexual offenses, to include discussion of risk, risk mitigation, and protective factors.
• Conduct assessments related to sexually problematic behaviors.
• Track and manage caseload for patients with sex offenses, monitoring for notifications needed, presentation for leveling, and supporting risk mediation measures.
• Conduct evaluations for civil commitment, conditional release, and less restrictive orders.
• Provide court with petitions, affidavits, letters, or other required documentation.
• Provide expert testimony in support of psycho-legal opinions regarding diagnosis, grounds for commitment, and placement readiness under direct & cross-examination, relying on established psychological principles, facts, and functional data.
• Conduct psychological assessments as assigned; prepare comprehensive psychological assessment reports.
• Treatment Team consultation as necessary.
• Participate in and present cases to the End of Sentence Review Committee.

 
Who should apply?
We are seeking professionals who:

• Hold a doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited school or department of clinical psychology.
•  Are licensed or eligible to obtain a license in Washington to practice psychology by hire date AND
•  Bring at least three years of post-doctoral psychology experience, including one year of experience supervising other professionals.
• Experience working with forensic patients and/ or experience with individuals who have committed sexual offenses and/ or struggle with sexually problematic behavior.
• Certification as a Sex Offender Treatment Provider is desired
• Have working knowledge of static and dynamic risk factors, protective factors, approaches to treatment and assessment, and the Risk Need Responsivity considerations, as it pertains to individuals with sexual offenses.

To apply:
Please submit your CV with your online application.

The location

• 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.
   

As the second-largest city in Pierce County, Lakewood presents the ideal place to live, work, play, and be a part of a community.  Lakewood is a diverse city with many cultural events.  Right outside of Tacoma, Lakewood is conveniently located between Seattle and Olympia, offering easy access to city life. Lakewood is home to dozens of tranquil parks, lakes, and natural wonders such as Mt. Rainier are just a few hours away. Outdoor activities are especially plentiful given the area's natural beauty and its four seasons. No matter if you love city life or nature, Lakewood has it all.

Want to know more about Western State Hospital? https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/division-state-hospitals/western-state-hospital

To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at [email protected] and reference 06890.

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 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.

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) 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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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

Agency Information

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