DSHS HCLA Project Manager

Full Job Description

WMS 1 Project Manager

This project manager position resides within the Home and Community Living Administration’s (HCLA), Office of the Assistant Secretary (OAS), Project Management Office (PMO) and reports to the Senior Strategic Projects Administrator.

HCLA is responsible for Washington state’s nationally recognized system of long-term services and supports serving older adults and people with disabilities. This system includes:

• Home and community-based settings
• Protections from abuse, neglect and exploitation
• Regulatory oversight of licensed and certified settings
• Case management, services, and communication access for the hard of hearing, deaf or blind

This job is responsible for significant project management activities required by multiple agencies and divisions to implement changes to the home and community living system in Washington State and achieve HCLA’s strategic goals.

This includes managing multiple high-visibility complex projects effectively and using project management principles and tools in all aspects of policy, service delivery, and operations.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Accountable for managing multiple projects which affect all aspects of HCLA’s business including statewide policy development and implementation, service delivery, and operational support
• Responsibilities include initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/controlling, and closing of multiple large scale, complex, and high visibility projects that include system change requirements, operational, legal and/or clinical components
• Leads internal, external, cross agency project teams to plan project scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource management, communications, risk, procurement, and stakeholder engagement
• Directs resources, prepares project management plans and other required or necessary documentation, develops risk mitigation plans, and is responsible for partnering with and reporting to a variety of audiences, both within DSHS and with external partners including state, county, city, and private entities
• Actively participates in achieving the PMO’s core mission and directly impacts clients and staff within multiple agencies
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of standardized processes and key tasks for activities tied to their assigned projects
  • Manage and support various project and portfolio governance structures comprised of diverse partners and stakeholders while balancing political and legal risk for the Department
  • Evaluate and escalate risks, developing and monitoring mitigation plans and supporting requests for resources to ensure successful delivery of projects
  • Provide status reports to management highlighting project milestones, deliverables, dependencies, risks and issues while communicating to leadership and the project authorizing environment
  • Balance competing demands and priorities while still maintaining forward momentum

• Attend in person quarterly meetings

Why this role matters

HCLA’s work directly impacts the quality of life, safety, and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities in long-term care settings.

Your leadership ensures that the systems supporting these communities remain responsive, efficient, and aligned with state and federal expectations.

The projects you’ll collaborate on have statewide consequences - affecting policy development, compliance readiness, and ultimately, the well-being of some of Washington’s most vulnerable residents.

Who should apply?

Bachelor’s Degree and at least five years’ experience or nine years’ experience managing projects in a wide range of subject areas with at least one-year of experience involving projects with state-wide or multi-agency impact. Experience must include all five phases of project management: Initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing

What we're looking for:

• Ability to apply Project Management knowledge to new and complex project elements to resolve problems and create or adjust action plans
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of tools, Microsoft Visio, and Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Smartsheet, SharePoint and other webinar formats
• Demonstrated mastery of written and oral communication skills, including meeting facilitation and conflict management
• Ability to facilitate large, diverse stakeholder groups with competing priorities
• Ability to build and maintain relationships, coordinate, and build consensus among internal and external stakeholders

Preferred / desired education, experience and competencies:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or certificate
• Demonstrated experience and/or education in relationship building, Lean process improvement, Organizational Change Management and coaching
• Familiarity with DSHS Mission, programs and systems along with Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations

Ready to apply?

Your completed application should include:

• A letter of interest detailing your background, what draws you to this role and your project management experience
• A current resume
• Three professional references, including a supervisor

Questions? Please contact sean.brauner@dshs.wa.gov and reference #01806.

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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