Job Description

Posting number: 2026-07180

Department: Dept. of Veterans Affairs

Division: Vet Services, Counseling and Wellness

Job classification: PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Veteran Services

Transitional Housing Program – Orting

Full-Time - Project

Our team is excited to announce a new opportunity for a full-time Program Specialist 4, permanent project at the Transitional Housing Program (THP) in Orting, Washington! The THP's mission is to help those in need with stable housing, vocational rehabilitation, and employment. Veterans are surrounded with staff and wrap-around services that lead to successful program completion and return to the community.

Please note: The schedule for this position is four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday. The anticipated hours are 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with some flexibility in start time based on operational needs. This position is not eligible for telework.

Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.

If you are passionate about our mission of "Serving Those Who Served," we encourage you to apply today!

Examples of duties

Some of what you will be doing:

• Provides direct case management services to homeless Veterans with the goal of attaining permanent housing including but not limited to conducting client needs assessments, developing case management plans, facilitating program placement, coordinating support services including onsite mental health counseling and substance use disorder treatment services.
• Maintains caseload of Veterans from Transitional Housing Program. Works intensively with Veterans to create personalized treatment plans addressing barriers to permanent housing, including but not limited to health, mental health, education, employment, benefits assistance, debt management. Refers Veterans to community providers and collaborates to secure permanent, stable housing for the Veteran.
• This position leads case conferencing and coordinated entry system to identify affordable housing opportunities and must explain complex program issues to clients, agency staff, senior agency leaders, and outside entities, and anticipate potential conflicts while demonstrating de-escalation and problem-solving abilities.
• Determine program priorities, sets objectives, allocates resources daily, and provides leadership to VA-GPD clients and 35 Low Demand clients in a residential program.
• Participates in strategic planning, grants development, developing and implementing operational policies and procedures.
• This position develops, revises, implements, interprets, and administers program specific policies, procedures, and practices and sets standards for existing and new program activities which involve and impact clients, staff, and volunteers.
• Collaborates and coordinates with local agencies to provide supportive services both onsite and in the community.
• This position must explain complex program issues to clients, agency staff, senior agency leaders, and outside entities, and anticipate potential conflicts while demonstrating de-escalation and problem-solving abilities.
• This position develops, revises, implements, interprets, and administers program specific policies, procedures, and practices and sets standards for existing and new program activities which include and impact clients, volunteers, and agencies provide supportive services onsite and in the community.
• Ensures operational compliance of VA-GPD Low Demand housing model. Prepare, verify, and responsible for all documentation to ensure the program meets the VA-GPD audit inspections on an annual basis. This includes a two-day annual inspection/audit of case notes, building/safety standards, dining hall standards, room inspections, and other requirements. Coordinate with the Soldiers Home facility manager and dietary manager to ensure documents all requirements are being met and documented for the audit.

• Explains complex program issues to clients, agency staff, senior agency leaders, and outside entities, and anticipates potential conflicts while demonstrating de-escalation and problem-solving abilities.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Psychology, Social Services, Social Work, Social Science, Health Care, or Liberal Arts/Sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent

AND

• Two (2) years of experience providing services to chronically homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders including at least one (1) year supervisory experience.

*A combination of education and experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis. Experience must be relevant to the position. *

• Proficiency with Excel, word processing, presentation, data management systems, and mobile application software.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to facilitate effective performance of job duties. This includes sufficient written and verbal communication in English, to facilitate effective performance of essential functions.
• Agency Required Competencies for all positions:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired:

• Master’s degree in a related field such as Psychology, Social Services, Social Work, Social Science, Health Care, or Liberal Arts/Sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent
• Experience in program development and administration for homeless individuals with chronic mental health and substance use disorders
• Experience providing services to veterans experiencing homelessness with a broad understanding of the barriers veterans may face in obtaining permanent housing and potential solutions
• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively while considering the needs and styles of others.

Supplemental information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:

Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.

2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Other Information:

• This position is non-represented

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov