Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05734

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: DDA

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE TRAINING SPECIALIST

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services, Education, Human Services, Community and Social Services

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 vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov 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.

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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