Summary
This job involves leading a team that checks the quality and accuracy of public assistance programs like food stamps (SNAP) and temporary aid for families (TANF) in Washington state, ensuring everything follows federal rules and helping prevent errors or fraud.
You'll train staff, review their work, analyze data to spot problems, and sometimes travel to meet with people or visit offices.
It's a great fit for someone with experience in social services who likes managing teams, digging into policies, and making sure government programs run smoothly and fairly.
Full Job Description
DSHS ESA Social And Health Program Consultant 3 - Lead Worker
DSHS's Economic Services Administration (ESA) is seeking a Social And Health Program Consultant 3 to join the Division of Program Integrity (DPI) in Lakewood, WA. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven team committed to strengthening the accuracy, accountability, and overall integrity of Washington’s public assistance programs.
In this role, you lead and guide a team of Quality Control Specialists, overseeing their work and ensuring consistent, accurate performance. You coordinate federally required monitoring for Washington’s SNAP and TANF programs, managing the planning and execution of key quality assurance activities. You also train and evaluate staff as they conduct SNAP case reviews and verify TANF participation, ensuring all processes meet federal compliance standards and support program integrity.
As a Social and Health Program Consultant 3, you’ll play a key role in our mission by serving as a designated specialist in state and federal policies, ensuring all quality control reviews meet federal regulations and guidance. This position offers a hybrid work schedule and travel is required.
Join us today - apply your skills and help us partner with people to provide support, care, and resources, empowering individuals to shape their own lives!
Some of what you'll do:- Train staff on relevant policies and procedures and ensure they have the information needed to meet their responsibilities.
- Monitor staff work, conduct lead worker audits, resolve audit concerns, and coach employees to meet performance expectations.
- Assess and prioritize team workload to ensure staffing resources align with deadlines and deliverables.
- Participate in team meetings, provide training updates, and support process design and implementation to meet DPI goals.
- Travel to offices and community locations to conduct SNAP Management Evaluation reviews, customer interviews, and program integrity activities.
- Analyze data to identify root causes of program risks, draft findings reports, and recommend corrective actions.
- Serve as a division specialist for TANF, SNAP Management Evaluation, and SNAP QC requirements, providing policy interpretation.
- Serve as backup to the Program Integrity Manager.
What we're looking for:- Ability to research, analyze, and interpret state and federal regulations and legislation related to DSHS programs.
- Experience auditing eligibility determinations for Washington’s Basic Food Program and familiarity with the WorkFirst Program.
- Skill in identifying error trends and root causes through data review and analysis.
- Ability to write clear, technical reports that present complex information using multiple data elements.
- Experience communicating with and serving as a liaison to state partners and executive leadership.
- Strong critical thinking, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and project responsibilities.
- Proficiency in ESA systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn new software as required.
Who should apply?One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2, Social Service Specialist 3, or Financial Services Specialist 4 or above.
OR
Two years experience as a WorkFirst Program Specialist or equivalent work experience with automated eligibility systems.
OR
A Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and three years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree in social work, a 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.
Note: Additional qualifying experience/education will substitute, year for year.
Interested?
Along with your application, please submit a letter of interest.
Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 01931.
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.
Additional 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 and 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.

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