DSHS HCLA Social and Health Program Consultant 4

Full Job Description

DSHS HCLA – Social and Health Program Consultant 4
Location: Lacey, WA

Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund (WCF) is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding team members as we introduce the nation’s first long-term services and supports social insurance program.

DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WCF is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. The innovative work that you do now will aid qualified people and their authorized representatives to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for daily-living activities. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference.

We are hiring a Social and Health Program Consultant 4 to help support the statewide implementation and ongoing operations of the WA Cares Fund Aging and Community Assistance Network. In this role, you will serve as a senior-level program consultant and subject matter expert, providing consultation and technical assistance to Area Agencies on Aging and Community Assistance Network partners across Washington. You will help develop statewide standards, training, and guidance while addressing complex policy, program, and operational issues that affect service delivery. Your work will help ensure partners have the tools, support, and direction needed to consistently assist Washington residents in accessing WA Cares Fund benefits.

Some of what you'll do:

• Lead the development and implementation of a statewide training strategy and framework for the WA Cares Fund Aging and Community Assistance Network, including Area Agencies on Aging, Tribal AAAs, and Community Assistance Network partners.
• Design and maintain training curricula, learning objectives, and technical assistance tools to ensure consistent understanding of statutes, rules, policies, and operational procedures.
• Facilitate training, onboarding, and technical assistance for contracted partners while coordinating statewide training priorities, schedules, and delivery approaches.
• Develop and maintain statewide operational standards, procedures, job aids, and guidance materials aligned with legislative intent, administrative rules, and departmental policies.
• Conduct statewide quality assurance, monitoring, and program analysis, reviewing data and operational trends to identify risks, compliance issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead readiness assessments, performance monitoring, and corrective action strategies to strengthen service delivery, ensure policy consistency, and support continuous improvement.
• Serve as a statewide liaison and subject matter expert, coordinating with headquarters staff, executive leadership, tribal partners, contractors, and cross-agency partners to support consistent implementation of the WA Cares Fund.
  
  

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Knowledge of social and health services program administration and statewide program implementation, including familiarity with the WA Cares Fund Community Assistance Network.
• Experience with program development, quality assurance, monitoring, and continuous improvement in complex service delivery systems.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret statutes, policies, rules, and complex program requirements.
• Ability to collaborate and influence across agencies and partners, including executive leadership, contractors, community organizations, and tribal partners.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including developing reports, statewide guidance, training materials, and presentations.
• Experience using data analysis, performance monitoring tools, and enterprise systems to evaluate program performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, resolve conflicts, and work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment, including statewide travel as needed.
  
  

Who should apply?
Professionals who meet one of the following qualifications:

• One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent.
  OR
• Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent.
  OR
• A Master’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND four (4) years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
  OR
• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND five (5) years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
  OR
• A combination of education and professional experience totaling at least nine (9) years.

Note: A degree in Social Work must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Additional information:

• Work schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday
  
  

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources.


Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today!

• Along with your application, please include:
• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
  
  

Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #02022.


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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