DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Field Administrator

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services, seeks an Adult Protective Services Field Administrator to lead APS operations across Region 3. You will guide daily activities, support staff, and strengthen partnerships with Tribes and agencies to ensure safe, high-quality services for vulnerable adults.

You will oversee multiple offices, travel within Region 3, and influence regional practice aligned with statewide goals.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising large teams and complex programs.
• Ability to coach staff, set expectations, and provide follow-up.
• Strong written and verbal communication across diverse partners.
• Knowledge of APS policies, laws, and inter-agency collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead regional field operations, investigations, and staffing.
• Support supervisors through coaching and clear expectations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff across offices.
• Build partnerships with Tribes, law enforcement, courts, and agencies.
• Guide quality assurance and regional procedures.
• Represent APS at meetings and committees.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Coaching

Communication

Tools

Data entry systems

Job description

Adult Protective Services Field Administrator / WMS2

This role calls for a collaborative, steady, and people-centered leader who supports Adult Protective Services (APS) teams across Region 3. As a Field Services Administrator, you guide daily operations, help staff navigate complex situations, and strengthen partnerships that protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults. You work closely with Tribes, community partners, state agencies, and internal teams to align regional practices with statewide goals and ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring three APS Field Administrators. One person will oversee two APS offices serving (cities and counties of) Aberdeen, Bremerton and Port Angeles. Another overseeing the Tumwater and Chehalis offices, with the third supervising the Kelso and Vancouver offices and adjoining counties.

These are field roles. Occasional travel to other Region 3 offices and APS headquarters in Lacey can be expected.

Some of what you will do

• Lead regional field operations, including investigations, customer support, administrative functions, and staffing.
• Support supervisors and staff through coaching, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff while fostering a supportive environment for growth.
• Guide regional quality assurance and improvement efforts, partnering with quality assurance staff to identify root causes and strengthen practices.
• Build collaborative relationships with Tribes, community partners, law enforcement, courts, and other state agencies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to improve investigative quality and outcomes for vulnerable adults.
• Provide consultation to APS leadership, Area Agencies on Aging, DSHS divisions, community partners, and legal entities.
• Prepare incident reports and media alerts in alignment with policy.
• Draft, implement, and monitor regional operating procedures.
• Participate in hearings and provide testimony when needed.
• Conduct employee fact-finding and program investigations at the direction of the appointing authority.
• Represent APS at regional and statewide meetings, workgroups, trainings, and committees.

Who should apply

We are looking for someone who leads with clarity, inclusion, and accountability; supports staff through coaching and communication; and helps teams succeed through steady guidance and partnership. You bring sound judgment to complex situations and communicate in plain language to support APS work across diverse communities.

This role also requires substantial experience in supervising individuals and large teams, responding to critical situations, developing solutions, building community partnerships, and managing complex social and health programs. You may meet the requirements through several education and experience pathways, and the skills and abilities that support success in this role include:

• Leading regional teams, including supporting mid-level supervisors across a large geographic area.

• Applying laws and policies such as APS policy, personnel rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Managing operations by assessing workload needs, aligning staffing, and planning daily and long-term work.
• Building partnerships with Tribes, community organizations, law enforcement, and other agencies.
• Organizing work to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
• Communicating clearly in writing and conversation, including preparing concise, accurate correspondence.
• Guiding staff through crises and complex case issues while developing solutions that reduce risk.
• Navigating conflict, de-escalating challenging situations, and holding difficult conversations with professionalism.
• Using sound judgment to assess situations, conduct effective interviews, and support individuals with diverse needs.
• Using technology and training others on software systems, reporting tools, and data entry processes.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Learn and apply APS policies, WAC, RCW, and complex systems.
• Federal laws related to Washington’s Tribal Nations.
• Policy development, program planning, and evaluation experience.
• Familiarity with HCLA and APS programs.
• Understanding of personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements.

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. This role is classified as Washington Management Services 2 (WMS2).

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) 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 (Download PDF reader). Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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