Dshs Dda Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $6,229.00 - $8,374.00 Monthly
Location : Yakima County - Selah, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-05734
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: DDA
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
DSHS YVS Social Service Training Specialist
Are you ready for the next step in your Social Service career? Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has an opportunity for a Social Service Training Specialist at Yakima Valley School in Selah, WA. Yakima Valley School is a state-run nursing facility in Central Washington supporting individuals with developmental disabilities or a dual diagnosis of developmental disabilities with an accompanying mental illness diagnosis.
In this role, you'll lead curriculum development, deliver (with appropriate subject matter experts) New Employee Orientation, and provide ongoing continuing education for staff at Yakima Valley School's Residential Habilitation Center. You'll ensure training aligns with Medicare/Medicaid regulations and Long-Term Care Facility Interpretive Guidelines, while monitoring staff progress and evaluating program effectiveness. You'll also track and analyze program goals to measure the success of the Staff Development Program.
Some of what you'll be doing:

• Establish measurable training goals and adjust objectives to strengthen the Yakima Valley School Staff Development Program.
• Develop New Employee Orientation curriculum by teaching required topics through varied modalities and checking for understanding.
• Manage and update NEO curriculum by identifying subject matter experts to present specialized material.
• Analyze staff training results and revise curriculum based on performance data and Residential Care Services audit findings.
• Modify training content in response to audit outcomes and evolving program needs.
• Report training outcomes to supervisors and administrative leadership to support decision-making.
• Produce and revise training materials needed for classroom instruction and ongoing staff development.
• Develop continuing education curriculum for Direct Care staff using both classroom instruction and computer-based training.
• Track employee participation in continuing education through Annual Review checklists and required documentation. Maintain a record of these trainings and provide documentation in response to records requests.
• Manage the Washington State Learning Center by assigning mandatory training, maintaining records, and supporting YVS staff training needs.

What we're looking for

• Extensive experience in educating (presenting to) adult learners.
• Knowledge and comfort with developing program curriculum and revising as needed.
• Ability to utilize system resources within a facility to retrieve and analyze data and documentation needed to support the training of employees.
• Experience within a Residential Habilitation Center would be of value and experience as well as experience with Electronic Health Records (EHR).

Who should apply?
Professionals with a bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field and:

• Four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, or health services programs.

Or

• Two years' experience as a WorkFirst Program Specialist or equivalent work experience with automated eligibility systems.

Or

• One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2, Social Service Specialist 3, or Public Benefit Specialist 4 or above.

Note: Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for the required education.
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.
Interested? Please apply with an updated resume
Questions? Please contact DSHS recruiter and reference 05734.
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 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 & 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
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 (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 (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 , 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
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
01
Please select which of the following best applies to you?

• I have a bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field with four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, or health services programs.
• I have a bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field with two years' experience as a WorkFirst Program Specialist or equivalent work experience with automated eligibility systems.
• I have a bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field with one year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2, Social Service Specialist 3, or Public Benefit Specialist 4 or above.
• None of the above applies to me

Required Question