DSHS Assistant Secretary, Developmental Disabilities Administration

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, via the Developmental Disabilities Administration, seeks an experienced executive to serve as Assistant Secretary. You will guide DDA through transformation, strengthen alignment, and ensure services are accessible while elevating the voice of individuals and families.

With over 4,000 employees and a biennial budget of about $6.2 billion, you will set priorities, enhance coordination, and ensure commitments are carried through, all

Qualifications

• Executive-level leadership experience across complex programs and operations.
• Experience leading programs that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Responsibilities

• Lead DDA through the next phase with alignment among employees and partners.
• Strengthen accountability, coordination, and follow-through across the administration.
• Build relationships with legislators and federal partners, communications leaders, and others to advance DDA’s work.
• Communicate proactively about priorities, challenges, and opportunities.
• Translate vision and planning into action and measurable results.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, business administration, public administration, health care administration, finance, or related field

Job description

Assistant Secretary

Developmental Disabilities Administration

Lead DDA into its next chapter

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is seeking an experienced executive leader to serve as the next Assistant Secretary of the Developmental Disabilities Administration. (DDA)

DDA is entering an important phase of its transformation. As the administration continues to move forward, the focus is on making services easier to access, supporting safe and successful transitions between settings, strengthening service availability, and ensuring individuals have a greater voice and choice in planning their services. The Assistant Secretary will help bring clarity, strengthen alignment, and guide the organization through change.

DDA has strong relationships with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, advocates, providers, and community partners. You’ll build on that strength while ensuring that listening leads to action, commitments are carried through, and progress is visible.

This is an opportunity for a leader who can bring people together, strengthen execution, and help shape DDA’s future.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Secretary will guide DDA through this important period while preserving the trust and community relationships that are central to the administration’s work.

With a workforce of more than 4,000 employees, eight direct reports, and responsibility for a biennial budget of approximately $6.2 billion, the Assistant Secretary oversees one of Washington’s largest human-services administrations.

You’ll establish clear priorities, strengthen coordination and accountability, ensure commitments are carried through across the administration, and move complex work forward while keeping collaboration and community voice central to DDA’s work.

What You’ll Accomplish

As Assistant Secretary, you will:

• Lead DDA through the next phase, building alignment among employees and partners around the direction ahead.
• Build on DDA’s strong culture of community engagement while ensuring feedback and commitments lead to meaningful action.
• Strengthen accountability, coordination, and follow-through across the administration.
• Establish clear priorities and create alignment among teams, programs, and partners.
• Lead with sound judgment and steadiness in an environment where services and operational responsibilities continue around the clock.
• Strengthen relationships with legislators and build more intentional connections with federal partners, communications leaders, and others who can help advance and communicate DDA’s work.
• Communicate proactively about emerging issues, priorities, challenges, and opportunities.

The Executive We’re Looking For

The work is complex and requires an executive who can:

• Listen carefully and follow through on commitments.
• Can translate vision and planning into action and results.
• Leads confidently through change, uncertainty, and competing priorities.
• Makes sound decisions when no perfect solution exists and navigates complex work, mitigates risks, and consistently achieves positive outcomes.
• Builds trust while setting clear expectations.
• Balances empathy and collaboration with accountability and decisive leadership.
• Navigates complex relationships with sound judgment and political awareness.
• Communicates clearly with employees, communities, legislators, partners, and executive leaders.
• Understands the importance of community voice while also strengthening internal discipline and execution.

Competencies and Leadership Capabilities

• Transformational Leadership
• Accountability and Results
• Community-Centered Leadership
• Strategic Communication and Influence
• Political and Stakeholder Acumen
• Collaboration and Partnership
• Sound Judgment and Decision-Making

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, business administration, public administration, health care administration, finance, or a related field is preferred but not required.

Executive-level experience leading directors, managers, and other senior leaders across complex programs and operations is preferred.

Experience leading programs, systems, or organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families is preferred.

Why Apply

The Assistant Secretary will build on a strong foundation of community trust while strengthening the clarity, accountability, and follow-through needed to deliver meaningful results for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Application Process

We anticipate appointing the Assistant Secretary as early as November 2026.

Applications received by September 4th will receive priority consideration.

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made.

Please submit a resume and letter of interest to:

[e-mail]

Your letter of interest should highlight how your experience aligns with leadership competencies and capabilities outlined in this profile.

To learn more about DSHS and DDA, review the Executive Brochure.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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.

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 [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure ( Nepotism ) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position