DSHS YVS Adult Training Specialist 3

DSHS Yakima Valley Adult Training Specialist 3 If the thought of creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for growth sounds like your dream job - we want to hear from you! Yakima Valley School is looking for an Adult Training Specialist 3 who is ready to make a difference in the lives of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In this role, you’ll create and lead therapeutic activities that help residents build confidence, develop new skills, and enjoy daily life at Yakima Valley School. Whether you're organizing sensory activities, supporting a resident in a therapy session, or tracking progress toward resident goals, your work will matter—every single day. This is a hands-on role for someone who’s thoughtful, observant, and comfortable supporting others with care, consistency, and respect. If you’re creative, dependable, and enjoy working as part of a team, we’d love to hear from you. 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. Some of what you'll do: Plan and lead training activities that help residents build social, recreational, and daily living skills. Create individualized and group-based programs based on resident care plans and assessments. Track progress by observing, documenting, and reporting on each resident’s participation and goals. Support residents during activities both on campus and in the community. Assist residents with mobility and activities of daily living, including navigating varied terrain and pushing wheelchairs when needed. Use approved therapeutic strategies, including Therapeutic Options, to support residents in moments of behavioral escalation or distress. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and resident care planning. Assist with mobility, including helping residents in wheelchairs and other supportive aids, across different types of terrain. Respond calmly and appropriately to behavioral health needs using approved approaches. Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary team members to ensure activities support the broader care plan for each resident. Who should apply? High school graduation (or GED or equivalent) and successful completion of 30 specific, job related college credit hours in the following general areas: Five credit hours in English Composition at the I00 level or higher. 25 credit hours in at least three of the following areas at the 100 level or higher, of which only five credits can be computer science or math: Psychology Education/special education Computer Science or Math Human Services AND either; • One year of experience as an Adult Training Specialist 2. OR • Two years as a vocational trainer of persons with disabilities in a community employment program. OR • Two years as a teacher's aide in a special education classroom OR • Three years of experience as an Attendant Counselor. Equivalent education/experience. Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for: Hands-on experience – Brings direct experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in educational, therapeutic, or community-based settings. Creative planning – Designs engaging activities using therapeutic approaches to promote learning and skill building. Training delivery – Implements individual or group programs that are meaningful, goal-oriented, and tailored to the needs of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Safety awareness – Follows established safety protocols and responds appropriately to emergencies. Strong communication – Shares information clearly and respectfully with coworkers, interdisciplinary team members, and residents. Observational skills – Notices subtle progress and accurately documents outcomes to inform care planning. Behavioral response – Uses good judgment and approved strategies to support residents in moments of distress or crisis. Team-oriented – Contributes to a respectful, inclusive work environment and collaborates effectively with others. Confidentiality – Maintains privacy of resident records and personal information at all times.

• Plan and lead training activities that help residents build social, recreational, and daily living skills.
• Create individualized and group-based programs based on resident care plans and assessments.
• Track progress by observing, documenting, and reporting on each resident’s participation and goals.
• Support residents during activities both on campus and in the community.
• Assist residents with mobility and activities of daily living, including navigating varied terrain and pushing wheelchairs when needed.
• Use approved therapeutic strategies, including Therapeutic Options, to support residents in moments of behavioral escalation or distress.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and resident care planning.
• Assist with mobility, including helping residents in wheelchairs and other supportive aids, across different types of terrain.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to behavioral health needs using approved approaches.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary team members to ensure activities support the broader care plan for each resident.

• High school graduation (or GED or equivalent) and successful completion of 30 specific, job related college credit hours in the following general areas: Five credit hours in English Composition at the I00 level or higher. 25 credit hours in at least three of the following areas at the 100 level or higher, of which only five credits can be computer science or math: Psychology, Education/special education, Computer Science or Math, Human Services
• One year of experience as an Adult Training Specialist 2.
• OR Two years as a vocational trainer of persons with disabilities in a community employment program.
• OR Two years as a teacher's aide in a special education classroom
• OR Three years of experience as an Attendant Counselor.
• Equivalent education/experience.
• Hands-on experience – Brings direct experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in educational, therapeutic, or community-based settings.
• Creative planning – Designs engaging activities using therapeutic approaches to promote learning and skill building.
• Training delivery – Implements individual or group programs that are meaningful, goal-oriented, and tailored to the needs of people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Safety awareness – Follows established safety protocols and responds appropriately to emergencies.
• Strong communication – Shares information clearly and respectfully with coworkers, interdisciplinary team members, and residents.
• Observational skills – Notices subtle progress and accurately documents outcomes to inform care planning.
• Behavioral response – Uses good judgment and approved strategies to support residents in moments of distress or crisis.
• Team-oriented – Contributes to a respectful, inclusive work environment and collaborates effectively with others.
• Confidentiality – Maintains privacy of resident records and personal information at all times.

• Medical (including vision)
• Dental
• Basic life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Medical flexible spending account
• Dependent care assistance
• Auto insurance
• Boat insurance
• Home insurance
• Renter insurance
• Washington State Employee Assistance Program
• Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
• Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
• Social Security
• Medicare
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Paid holidays
• One paid personal holiday per calendar year
• Sick Leave
• Vacation (Annual Leave)
• Military Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Leave Sharing
• Parental Leave
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Leave Without Pay

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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.