Performance Improvement and Federal Reporting Manager (WMS2) - Olympia

Full Job Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Performance Improvement and Federal Reporting Manager (WMS2)
Location: Olympia, WA (This position is stationed in Olympia, WA and is primarily remote; however, the incumbent must have the ability to travel and attend in-person meetings/trainings.)
Closes: 1/25/26
Salary: $97,469 - $121,836 Annually

We are looking for a Performance Improvement and Federal Reporting Manager (WMS2) to develop and implement ongoing evaluations of practice improvement strategies. If you are passionate about caring for children and providing them support, apply today!

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
As the Performance Improvement and Federal Reporting Manager, you will have the ability to be the lead expert on recommending strategies to improve social work practices based on current data and trends. This individual will work with leaders, administrators, and program staff to utilize performance metrics and develop strategies for practice improvements. The Performance Improvement and Federal Reporting Manager has a direct impact on agency-wide policies, practices, and potentially statewide programs. If you are a social services expert looking for a way to have a positive impact on services for children, youth, and families, apply today!

Some of what you will get to do:

• Responsible for the development, implementation, monitoring and ongoing evaluation of practice improvement strategies and related work plans and reports required by the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACF) including the Statewide Assessment (SWA), the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR), Program Improvement Plan (PIP), Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP), and Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR).
• Coordinates and facilitates targeted case reviews to determine if implementation strategies are effective in specific areas of safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Make data-informed, strategic recommendations on program and practice strategies and activities, as well as related performance improvement targets, measurement, and analysis that directly impact the effectiveness of social work practices.
• Develops and makes recommendations for strategies to improve social work practice and outcomes.
• Provides reliable and professional advice and consultation on developing, setting, and implementing program strategies and activities, and related performance measurement to DCYF executive leadership, regional administrators, area administrators, and other staff within DCYF.
• Supervise a team who conduct targeted reviews, provide data analysis, and are responsible for federal child welfare program improvement, planning, and reporting.
• Assures the quality of guidance and recommendations provided by direct reports on critical measures and outcomes within their areas of expertise, including the analysis of data and development of reports, memos, and other communications.
• Provides constructive feedback, guidance, and reinforcement to staff on job performance.
• Provide leadership, direction, and training to staff.
• Manage all personnel activities related to recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and ensuring accountability for staff.
• Promotes a positive organizational climate and culture so all staff feel supported and valued.
• Sustains productive, informative relationships with key stakeholders and system partners to enhance cross-system coordination of services for children in foster care.

What we are looking for:
A Master’s degree with a major study in social work, social sciences, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a closely allied field AND 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the implementation, evaluation, strategic planning, or management of programs in public child welfare.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in social work, social sciences, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a closely allied field AND 8 years of progressively responsible experience in implementation, evaluation, strategic planning, or management of programs in public child welfare.
OR
Eleven years of progressively responsible experience in two or more of the following areas:

• implementing CQI models, leading projects, conducting reviews, analyzing data, or knowledge of child welfare programs and reporting requirements.
• Continuous Quality Improvement expertise with an understanding of CQI frameworks, data-driven decision making, and performance metrics.
• Data analysis skills with the ability to interpret administrative, program, and quality assurance data to identify trends, strengths, and improvement opportunities.
• Proven strategic planning and project management expertise with the ability to develop, implement, and monitor work plans.
• Knowledge of state and federal social work practice expectations for child welfare.
• Competent in report writing and presenting findings to internal and external audiences.
• Skills to integrate racial equity and inclusion principles into program improvement efforts.
• Supervisory skills to manage, mentor, and support staff.
• Ability to coordinate across divisions, regions, and with external partners.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for technical reports, presentations, and providing guidance.
• Skilled in building collaborative relationships with leadership, staff, and community partners.
• Ability to translate data into practice improvements that enhance outcomes for children, youth, and families.
• Demonstrated experience in tracking, measuring, and reporting program outcomes for continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership skills to effectively lead a team of professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and cooperatively as a team member, managing multiple projects, leading and facilitating teams and work groups.
• Ability to use data and technology and current research to effectively and strategically assess service needs, evaluate programs and their effectiveness.
• Knowledge and understanding of the connection between research, data, and practice.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Experience working with tribal and/or Native American communities.
• Knowledge of DCYF programs (CPS, FVS, CFWS, Intake, Adoptions, FRS, ICW, Licensing).
• Familiar with policy development and procedural creation within child welfare.
• Ability to set goals, monitor progress, and ensure accountability for assigned teams and projects.
• An understanding of change management and organizational leadership with an ability to guide program enhancement and practice improvements.
• Strong decision-making and critical thinking skills, particularly in analyzing complex systems and recommending actionable improvements.
• Experience facilitating workgroups, committees, and cross-functional meetings.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work within deadlines.
• Skilled at aligning state and federal requirements with agency goals to optimize performance and funding.
• Knowledge and understanding of ethics in government.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org.

Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or emails upport@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.

00386