DSHS WSH Therapies Supervisor

DSHS WSH Therapies Supervisor

Salary

$76,608.00 - $102,996.00 Annually

Location

Pierce County - Lakewood, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2026-07268

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

BHHA

Opening Date

09/03/2026

Closing Date

9/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits

Description

Leadership matters here. Every shift.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking a Therapies Supervisor to join the Behavioral Management Team at Western State Hospital (WSH), one of Washingtons state psychiatric hospitals.

In this role, you will lead Behavioral Health Specialists who provide structured behavioral and clinical support to patients with complex psychiatric and developmental needs. Many patients supported by the Habilitative Mental Health program experience serious mental illness alongside developmental or behavioral support needs, requiring consistent therapeutic programming and structured interventions.

Strong supervisors in this role create stability for both staff and patients. Your leadership helps ensure therapy services are consistent, effective, and focused on helping patients build practical life skills, stabilize behavior, and move closer to successful treatment outcomes.

This position works day shift. Positions performed on-site may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary. Employees working in Pierce County may also be eligible to receive an ORCA card for public transportation needs.

What Youll Accomplish

In this role, you will help ensure therapy services are reliable, structured, and supportive of patient progress by:

• Leading and supervising Behavioral Health Specialists who deliver habilitative therapy services
• Coaching staff in therapeutic interventions and behavioral support strategies
• Supporting patients in developing skills that promote safety, independence, and community readiness
• Identifying barriers to treatment interventions and collaborating with teams to address them
• Strengthening communication and coordination within the Behavioral Management Team
• Ensuring documentation and program requirements are completed accurately and on time
• Providing consultation and micro-training to treatment teams on behavioral strategies
• Using patient response data to evaluate and improve therapeutic interventions

The Team

The Habilitative Mental Health program provides structured behavioral support for patients receiving treatment at Western State Hospital. The team collaborates closely with interdisciplinary treatment staff to support individuals who may experience significant psychiatric and behavioral challenges. Consistent leadership and clear communication are essential to maintaining effective therapeutic programming.

Work Location

This position is fully on-site at Western State Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. Due to the supervisory and clinical nature of the role, telework is not available.

Interested?

If you are an experienced therapy professional ready to guide staff and strengthen therapeutic programming, we encourage you to apply today.

Who Should Apply

A bachelors degree involving major study in occupational therapy, physical therapy, hospital recreation, manual arts, vocational counseling, or psychiatric social work

AND

Five years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.

OR

Nine years of professional experience in a therapy program, including two years in administration and direction of professional staff.

Notes:

• A masters degree in the areas of study listed above will substitute for two years of non-administrative experience.
• Occupational therapy majors must possess registration with the National Registry of Occupational Therapy; physical therapy majors must possess a certificate of registration issued upon the recommendation of the Washington State Examining Committee of Physical Therapists.

Backgrounds That Often Succeed in This Role

You may be a strong fit if your experience includes:

• Leading therapy, rehabilitation, or behavioral health programs
• Supervising staff providing patient or client skill-building services
• Working with individuals with behavioral health, developmental, or psychiatric needs
• Coaching staff on therapeutic or behavioral interventions

Some of what you'll do:

• Supervise Behavioral Health Specialists and assign work schedules
• Train staff in therapeutic and behavioral intervention techniques
• Model therapeutic interactions and provide ongoing coaching and support
• Identify and address barriers that impact treatment effectiveness
• Promote clear communication within the Behavioral Management Team
• Ensure staff complete required documentation and program reporting
• Provide training and consultation to ward treatment teams when needed
• Collect and review patient response data to support treatment planning
• Complete required trainings and maintain program compliance

To Apply

Click the green APPLY button and submit your application, including:

• An updated resume that clearly describes your relevant experience.
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and how your education, skills, and experience have prepared you to successfully perform the duties of the Therapies Supervisor.
• Three professional references with current contact information.

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Grant Grady at grant.grady@dshs.wa.gov and reference project number 07268.

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.

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 applicants 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 drivers 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.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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. Thats 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

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov