Residential Rehabilitation Counselor 3-Milieu Specialist 
The therapeutic milieu provides structure and organization to help reduce challenging behaviors and opportunities for residents to increase prosocial behaviors. The therapeutic milieu encourages residents to engage in adaptive and healthy activities including recreational, occupational, and skills based programming. Empowering individuals with disabilities and/or mental illness to develop an adaptive and prosocial skill set will help reduce the risk of sexual reoffending.

The therapeutic milieu also provides residents with a range of other therapeutic experiences including behavioral management techniques and individual and group experiences. The treatment milieu is a learning environment in which resident’s adaptive behaviors are encouraged and their challenging behaviors are discouraged and redirected. Some characteristics of the milieu are described below:

• Rules – the do’s and don’ts of the program/cottage that specify appropriate behavior
• Routines – Regular schedules of meal time, group time, and recreation/free time
• Recreational and program activities include arts, crafts, games, and sports. Activities are formal and informal and are aimed at promoting physical and psychological wellbeing, allowing residents to feel a sense of mastery and self-esteem, as well as allowing for opportunities to try out, and practice appropriate socialization skills. 

We are currently seeking interested applicants for our Residential Rehabilitation Counselor 3(RRC3) Milieu Specialist job opportunity within the Department of Resident Treatment.

The Special Commitment Center is a highly structured and secure treatment setting located on McNeil Island in the beautiful Puget Sound. Our program treats offenders who are detained and civilly committed and assists them in addressing their sexual offending and unique individual treatment needs.
 
Some of what you’ll be doing:

• Provide training and mentoring to  RRC 2 staff
• Ensure residents follow policies, procedures, protocols and living unit/SCC rules as well as problem solving concerns and questions
• Encourage residents to participate in approved extra-curricular activities and unit operations
• Familiarize yourself with resident’s current progress and participate in meetings regarding the progress in treatment
• Monitoring individualized treatment progress
• Lead day-to-day operations on the unit or the program area and accountability of residents
• Create and maintain daily report documentation
• Assist with Resident movements between Program Areas 

 What we’re looking for:

• Identify problems, develop and implement solutions
• Communicate information both orally and in writing so others will understand
• Experience working with computer skills including a basic understanding of Microsoft Outlook and Word
• Successfully manage competing priorities
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with ability to write comprehensive and concise reports with an acute attention to detail
• Highly motivated individuals with demonstrated observation skills and ability to manage time effectively
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others
• A self-starter who is able to work independently and as part of a team
• Perform duties safely; model behavior we expect to see
• Effectively manage working conditions and emergent situations within designated areas or entire facility 

Who should apply:
Professionals with at least three years paid experience caring for psychiatric patients, residents or inmates in behavioral management programs, forensic mental health settings, or correctional mental health programs.
OR
One year of experience as a supervisor/lead worker and two years’ experience in the care of psychiatric residents or inmates.

College level coursework in one of the social sciences will substitute for the required experience on a year to year basis.

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform 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 mission that you bring 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. 

Questions about this job opportunity?  Contact Saleen Hernandez at saleen.hernandez@dshs.wa.gov and reference 06681.

Note: 
Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.