DSHS DDA Provider Network Capacity & Access Unit Manager

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

DSHS DDA is seeking a Provider Network Capacity & Access Unit Manager in Lacey to lead a statewide team responsible for recruiting, contracting, onboarding, training, supporting, and retaining providers for HCBS services across Washington.

The role oversees 1,200+ provider contracts, partners with diverse stakeholders, and drives strategies to improve provider access, workforce capacity, and customer experience within Medicaid programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, health administration, business, human services, or related field.
• At least 5 years of supervisory/leadership experience with professional staff.
• Experience with contracts, Medicaid or HCBS preferred; equivalent combinations considered.

Responsibilities

• Drive statewide provider recruitment, contracting, onboarding, monitoring, retention, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Supervise and grow a diverse team, fostering inclusion and belonging.
• Partner with providers, advocates, and government leaders to improve Medicaid access and program quality.
• Manage budgets, contracts, evaluate risks, and optimize resources to improve access.

Skills

Leadership

Partnership building

Systems thinking

Problem solving

People-first leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, health administration, business administration, human services, or related field

Job description

DSHS DDA Provider Network Capacity & Access Unit Manager

Positively and dramatically impact lives by becoming a Provider Network Capacity and Access Unit Manager for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). DDA provides a comprehensive range of social services and support to over 70,000 Washingtonians who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Do you love solving complex problems, building partnerships, and leading teams toward meaningful outcomes? Do you have a background in healthcare/human services/Medicaid operations, contracting, and workforce development? These skills are highly valued but not required. We know great leaders come from many backgrounds. If you've led people, improved systems, built partnerships, managed change, or solved difficult organizational challenges, we'd like to hear from you.

We're seeking a collaborative, strategic leader to oversee our statewide Provider Network Capacity & Access Unit. This team recruits, contracts, onboards, trains, supports, and retains the providers who make community-based services possible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Washington.

Working out of our Lacey HQ, this high-impact leadership role supports a statewide provider network of more than 1,200 provider contracts across 20+ HCBS waiver services. You'll partner with your stellar team to help improve provider access, strengthen workforce capacity, implement federal initiatives, and advance customer experience improvements across our system.

Why This Role Matters

Every provider recruited, every barrier removed, and every employee supported helps people access services and pursue lives of their choosing.

You’ll shape statewide strategy while leading work that directly impacts thousands of Washingtonians.

Some of what you will do:

• Network & Strategy: Drive statewide provider recruitment, contracting, onboarding, monitoring, retention, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and expand a growing team, fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.
• Collaboration & Policy: Partner with providers, advocates, community collaborators, and government leaders to design and implement Medicaid program access and quality improvements.
• Operations: Manage budgets, contracts, evaluate risks, optimize resources, and develop practical solutions to improve access.

Our Team Culture & Values:

• Collaboration over hierarchy.
• Curiosity over certainty.
• Accountability with compassion.
• Continuous learning and innovation.
• Work-life balance and sustainable performance.

Who Will Thrive Here?

This role isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating the conditions for great work.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Experienced Leader:Proven track record managing complex programs, building multi-organizational partnerships, and developing people.
• Results-Oriented:Skilled at navigating competing priorities while staying focused on the mission and results.
• Systems Thinker:Eager to solve complex, multi-layered regulatory or operational puzzles.
• Scrappy Problem-Solver: Skilledat using data, repurposing existing tools, and aligning diverse stakeholders without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• People First: Prioritizesteam well-being, professional development, and collaborative leadership over strict hierarchy.
• Ambiguity-Driven: Energizedby finding creative paths forward when no clear roadmap exists.

Who should apply

• Professionals with a bachelor’s* degree in public administration, health administration, business administration, human services, or a closely related field, and
• 5 years of supervisory/leadership experience guiding the work of professional staff; concurrent work experience should include some combination of the following:

Note:

* A master's degree may be substituted for 2 years of experience. Equivalent education and experience combinations may be considered.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Experience managing contracts in a state agency.
• Experience implementing federal or state regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of CMS HCBS requirements, Medicaid waiver operations, provider network adequacy standards, and access-to-care initiatives.
• Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and community-based service systems.
• Experience administering Medicaid-funded programs, HCBS waiver services, or long-term services and supports.

If you're a systems thinker, relationship builder, culture steward, and passionate advocate for improving outcomes for others, we encourage you to apply.

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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.

Questions about job number 07014? Contact [e-mail].

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 (Nopotism) 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.

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