DSHS HCLA Finance and Contracts Coordinator

Full Job Description

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking a highly skilled and detail-driven Finance & Contracts Coordinator to play a pivotal role in shaping and supporting the success of our rapidly expanding Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of policy, finance, and contract management, ensuring that essential services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with state guidelines.

As the RHT Finance & Contracts Coordinator, you will serve as a subject-matter expert on the RHT Program’s financial and contractual operations.

You’ll collaborate closely with HCLA’s Senior Policy Analyst, program staff, and our Finance and Contracts teams to ensure that every contract, payment, and financial process is sound, compliant, and aligned with program goals.

This is a project-based role till June 2031 and offers a flexible hybrid schedule, allowing you to work remotely from anywhere in Washington most of the time. Occasional in-person meetings at the Olympia headquarters may be required based on business needs

What You’ll Do

• Act as a liaison and subject matter expert for the RHT program between contracts and financial teams, accounting staff, and policy/program designers to translate programmatic needs into sound business practices.
• Coordinate payment methodologies, track payments, and ensure accurate financial coding in partnership with HCLA’s Finance Team.
• Oversee the development, allotment, and adjustment of RHT program budgets.
• Guide and oversee the development, production, and submission of all federally required financial reports and forms to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Guide, conduct, and oversee financial analyses to inform program decisions, respond to inquiries, and explain expenditure or revenue trends.
• Develop, review, and assist with complex contracts that reflect program needs and approved payment methodologies.
• Ensure all contract terms, conditions, and monitoring practices align with DSHS guidelines, policies, and best practices.
• Partner with the HCLA Contracts Team to ensure accuracy, clarity, and timeliness in all RHT Program contracts.
• Guide and oversee the development and production of all internal routine RHT financial reports.
• Ensure RHT contracts are clearly written and include monitoring plans.
• Help to monitor all RHT contracts and communicate with both RHT program staff and vendors to address any challenges or concerns.
• Provide technical and analytical guidance to executives, managers, and RHT Program staff, and collaborate with HCLA’s Contracts Team to ensure timely and accurate contracting for all RHT programs
• Research, analyze, and make recommendations on complex issues with significant financial and operational impacts.
• Coordinate efforts across HCLA program staff, RHT policy staff, HCLA finance and contracts teams, and potential partners at Health Care Authority and Department of Health.

If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy solving complex problems, and want to help build a high-impact program from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you. Apply NOW!

Required education, experience, and competencies:

Master’s degree in business administration, accounting, or other fiscally oriented field AND three years of professional experience working with large, complex financial systems/information, including contracting and procurement.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, or other fiscally oriented fields AND five years of professional experience working with large, complex financial systems/information, including contracting and procurement

OR

Nine years of professional experience working with large, complex financial systems/information, including contracting and procurement.

Knowledge & Skills

• Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, nested formulas, and advanced data analysis functions.
• Knowledge of statewide accounting principles and procedures, including familiarity with the State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM).
• Ability to interpret financial data, develop budgets, track expenditures, analyze trends, and reconcile financial information across differing fiscal year structures.
• Skilled in reviewing and monitoring complex contracts, ensuring compliance with policies, regulations, and approved payment methodologies.
• Strong understanding of policy implementation and program development, with the ability to translate program needs into effective financial and contractual practices.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to navigate multi-dimensional financial, operational, and programmatic issues.
• High attention to detail, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to accuracy in all financial and contractual work.
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive financial or analytical information—both orally and in writing in a clear, transparent manner that is accessible to non-financial and non-analytical audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and take responsibility for deadlines, deliverables, and the integrity of financial and contractual processes.
• Collaborative mindset and strong partnership-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams, with vendors, leadership, and external agencies to support smooth financial and contract operations.
• Adaptability and comfort navigating evolving program requirements, shifting priorities, and new policy directions.

Preferred / desired education, experience, and competencies:

• Direct experience using the Washington State Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) financial data to inform reports and analyses.
• Direct experience composing, reviewing, and approving decision packages and fiscal notes in the state.
• Direct experience as a participant in the protocols/processes of the executive/legislative branches of state government.
• Direct experience overseeing the contracting process and monitoring of social service or health service contracts.

Interested?
Please include the following with your application:

• A letter of interest with a detailed description of how your experience relates to this opportunity
• A current chronological resume
• Current contact information for three professional references

For more information: Please contact Peter Graham at peter.graham@dshs.wa.gov or Kathy Simmons at kathy.simmons@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 02780

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.

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