DSHS OOS Senior Director, Human Resource Division

Full Job Description

DSHS Senior Director, Human Resources Division

About the Agency

The Department of Social and Health Services serves 2 to 3 million Washington residents each year and is one of the largest human services agencies in the country.

With a workforce of more than 18,000 employees, DSHS delivers critical services that support individuals, families, and communities across Washington State.

Our mission is simple and meaningful: we partner with people to access support, care, and resources.

About the Job

This is a senior leadership opportunity to lead Human Resources at one of the largest and most complex state agencies, shaping how the organization supports its workforce in a dynamic and evolving environment.

The Senior Director of Human Resources provides comprehensive leadership and direction across all HR functions in a large, complex, and highly visible organization, ensuring systems, policies, and practices are aligned to support a large and diverse workforce.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the Secretary and executive leadership, you will provide guidance on complex personnel, labor, and workforce matters and influence decisions that impact the agency at the enterprise level.

You will play a key role in ensuring the agency attracts, develops, and retains a highly skilled and engaged workforce by strengthening HR systems, reducing hiring barriers, and advancing modern workforce strategies.

You will lead a division of more than 200 HR professionals located statewide, supporting over 18,000 employees across a wide range of programs, including 24/7 operations.

This role manages an annual operating budget of approximately $15 million, ensuring resources are aligned to support effective and efficient HR service delivery.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this role sets directions, guides priorities, and ensures HR services are delivered consistently and effectively across the agency.

This position is headquartered in Olympia, Washington (OB2) and requires in-office presence two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, you will:

In this role, success is defined by your ability to establish trust, clarify complexity, and create alignment across a large, diverse organization.

The Ideal Candidate

A strategic and forward-thinking HR leader who can operate at an enterprise level while navigating the realities of a large, complex organization.

You bring the interpersonal skills and organizational insight needed to strengthen a culture grounded in collaboration, trust, and accountability. You are known for your ability to guide leaders through complex and sensitive situations with sound judgment and clarity.

You lead through influence—building strong, credible relationships across leadership to stay connected to business needs and ensure HR is aligned and responsive. You create alignment, set direction, and hold teams accountable for results.

You are comfortable leading in an evolving environment and can translate workforce priorities into practical, sustainable approaches that strengthen the agency's hiring, development, and support for its workforce.

Qualifications

The Senior Director must have exceptional leadership skills and the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.

This role requires the ability to lead large teams in a unified direction and earn the trust of the HR workforce, executive leadership, external partners, and tribal governments.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to support the ongoing reimagining of HR service delivery within an agency that values people and recognizes the importance of strong, effective HR leadership.

You will play a key role in how HR supports the workforce, strengthening systems, guiding strategy, and helping the agency evolve to meet changing workforce needs.

This is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact at scale—leading a division that supports thousands of employees and helps position HR as a trusted partner across the agency.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in this opportunity.

Questions email tracie.kidd@dshs.wa.gov

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.