DSHS HCLA Access Manager

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Department of Social and Health Services seeks an Access Manager for the ODHH to provide ASL interpreting for the Director and agency leadership while coordinating interpreter requests and accessibility initiatives.

This hybrid role requires onsite interpreting in Lacey on Thursdays, with travel as needed, and a strong commitment to language access, confidentiality, and collaboration across divisions.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an Interpreter Training Program and at least five years of professional interpreting experience.
• Or a bachelor's degree in a human services field and at least five years of sign language interpreting experience with multiple Deaf employees.

Responsibilities

• Provide ASL interpreting for the ODHH Director, leadership meetings, and agency activities.
• Coordinate interpreter requests, schedules, invoices, and service logistics.
• Advise leadership and staff on ASL interpreting and accessibility needs.
• Support interpreter contracts and monitor service delivery.
• Apply ADA requirements and state and federal accessibility standards.
• Work across Department of Social and Health Services divisions to improve language access.
• Support accessibility procedures, training, and planning.
• Identify access barriers and recommend solutions.
• Provide technical guidance on interpreting services and related requirements.

Skills

ASL interpretation

Confidentiality

Leadership support

Cross-functional collaboration

Language access

Education

Interpreter training graduate

BA in human services

Job description

Leadership depends on having full access to the conversation.

As an Access Manager with the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), you'll provide American Sign Language interpreting for the ODHH Director and agency leadership. Your work helps ensure the Director has access to the information, discussions, and decisions needed to lead effectively.

Your influence extends beyond interpreting.

Approximately 75% of your time will involve interpreting. The remaining 25% includes coordinating interpreter requests, scheduling services, reviewing invoices, and supporting accessibility efforts. You'll also advise on language access, help manage interpreter contracts, and work with other divisions to improve access for Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and other employees who need interpreting services.

We encourage you to apply if you're an experienced ASL interpreter who can balance accurate interpreting with administrative responsibilities. You understand Deaf culture, audism, and power dynamics, handle confidential information with care, and build trust across different communities and leadership levels. You're also organized enough to manage competing requests without losing sight of the people depending on your work.

Your first 90 days are about learning the Director's communication needs, building relationships, and understanding existing interpreting services. You'll become familiar with leadership meetings, schedules, contracts, and service requests while identifying opportunities to improve coordination.

Success means the Director has consistent access to information, interpreting services are dependable, and accessibility needs are addressed before they become barriers.

The work arrangement matters, too.

This hybrid position requires onsite interpreting in Lacey on Thursdays for executive leadership meetings, with additional travel at the Director's request. The schedule includes longer workdays Monday through Thursday and a shorter Friday. You'll need to balance interpreting commitments, administrative work, and occasional travel.

Still reading? Here's what you'll do.

Some of What You'll Do

• Provide ASL interpreting for the ODHH Director, leadership meetings, and agency activities.
• Coordinate interpreter requests, schedules, invoices, and service logistics.
• Advise leadership and staff on ASL interpreting and accessibility needs.
• Support interpreter contracts and monitor service delivery.
• Apply ADA requirements and state and federal accessibility standards.
• Work across Department of Social and Health Services divisions to improve language access.
• Support accessibility procedures, training, and planning.
• Identify access barriers and recommend solutions.
• Provide technical guidance on interpreting services and related requirements.

Who Should Apply

• Graduation from an Interpreter Training Program and at least five years of professional interpreting experience.

Or

• A bachelor's degree in a human services field and at least five years of sign language interpreting experience with multiple Deaf employees.

Note: Additional qualifying professional experience may substitute year-for-year for the required education.

You should also be able to:

• Interpret complex information accurately and maintain confidentiality.
• Balance interpreting and administrative responsibilities.
• Work effectively with Deaf, DeafBlind, hard-of-hearing, and hearing colleagues.
• Understand interpreting practices and accessibility requirements.
• Coordinate schedules, contracts, invoices, and service requests.
• Communicate clearly with leadership and agency partners.

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience

• National Interpreter Certification or state-level interpreting credentials.
• Experience interpreting for professional leaders and diverse Deaf communities.
• Understanding of audism, power dynamics, and anti-racism.
• Lived experience or active involvement with Deaf or DeafBlind communities.
• Experience with accessibility policy, contracts, and service coordination.

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.

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.

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.

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