DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a Social Service Supervisor within the Home and Community Services (HCS) division in Spokane. The role leads a team of social service professionals who assess needs, develop care plans, and coordinate long-term care services for older adults and people with disabilities.

You will coach staff, strengthen partnerships with hospitals, providers, and tribal governments, and ensure services meet program standards while advancing independence and quality of life for clients.

Qualifications

• Leadership in supervising social service staff and teams.
• Knowledge of long-term care programs and applicable policies.
• Strong policy, supervision, and performance management skills.
• Effective communication with staff, partners, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists, including recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, coaching, evaluating performance, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee staff who assess client needs, determine appropriate levels of care, and develop care plans for community reintegration.
• Ensure accurate authorization and timely service delivery from MPC, CFC, COPES, RSW, and Nursing Facility programs.
• Implement performance standards, conduct quality assurance reviews, assign and prioritize work, and monitor staff performance, including corrective actions.
• Coordinate and conduct staff training, unit meetings, case staffing, and multi-disciplinary meetings; inform staff of policies and program updates.
• Collaborate with CSO, HCLA, HCS, Area Agency on Aging, hospitals, Tribal governments, and other agencies.
• Analyze data and reports to track performance, identify trends, and improve service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Policy compliance

Communication

Data analysis

Coaching

Training

Prioritization

Education

Master's degree in social services or related field

Bachelor's degree in social services or related field

Job description

DSHS HCS - Social Service Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5

Are you the kind of leader who believes strong teams create stronger outcomes for the communities they serve? The Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is seeking a Social Service Supervisor to lead a dedicated team in Spokane within the Home and Community Services (HCS) division.

As a Social Service Supervisor, you will guide a team that helps older adults and people with disabilities receive the support they need to live safely and with dignity in their homes and communities. Our programs focus on independence, well-being, and choice for the people we serve.

In this role, you will supervise a team of social service professionals who assess needs, develop care plans and coordinate long‑term care services for people across the region. You will support your staff as they navigate complex situations, make thoughtful decisions and ensure services are delivered quickly and accurately to those who rely on them.

This position will be supporting staff that are transitioning complex mental clients to their choice of community settings and intensive case management of client is HCS highest level of facilities. You will coach and guide staff, strengthen partnerships with hospitals, residential providers, Tribal governments and community organizations, and ensure services meet program standards and policy requirements.

Some of what you’ll do:

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists, including recruiting, hiring, training, mentoring, coaching, evaluating performance, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Oversee staff who assess individual client needs, determine appropriate nursing facility levels of care, and develop care plans to support clients in remaining or returning to the community.
• Ensure accurate authorization and timely service delivery from Medicaid Personal Care (MPC), Community First Choice (CFC), Community Options Program Entry System (COPES), Residential Support Waiver (RSW), and Nursing Facility Care programs.
• Implement performance standards, conduct quality assurance reviews, assign and prioritize work, and monitor staff performance, including initiating corrective or disciplinary actions as needed.
• Coordinate and conduct staff training, unit meetings, case staffing, and multi‑disciplinary meetings, while keeping staff informed of policies, procedures, and program updates.
• Collaborate with community organizations, including the Community Services Office (CSO), Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Home and Community Services (HCS), Area Agency on Aging, hospitals, nursing and community‑based facilities, local Tribal Governments, and other state and local agencies.
• Analyze data and reports to track performance measures, identify trends, correct errors, and equitably distribute workloads, while participating in workgroups, planning meetings, and committees for program improvement.

Who should apply?

We are seeking professionals that meet the following criteria:

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4. OR
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3. OR
• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2. OR
• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND one year of paid social service experience* equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3. OR
• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND five years of paid social service experience* performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. OR
• A combination of higher education (in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field) and paid social service experience* totaling at least nine years.

*NOTE: Paid social service experience must include completing comprehensive assessments and developing individualized service plans for the elderly and disabled adult populations including determining the level of care to include care needs related to medical, dementia, and geriatric mental health treatment and interventions. **NOTE: A two year master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

Additional knowledge, skills and abilities we are looking for:

• Leadership skills: Guide and support professional staff by setting expectations, providing feedback and helping them grow in their roles.
• Knowledge of long‑term care programs: Understand services that support older adults and people with disabilities and apply program rules to ensure clients receive the right level of care.
• Coaching and training ability: Develop staff knowledge by explaining policy, demonstrating best practices and adapting training to different learning styles.
• Communication skills: Build trust by clearly explaining complex information to staff, community partners and members of the public.
• Organizational skills: Coordinate multiple responsibilities, deadlines and priorities while ensuring services are delivered accurately and on time.
• Conflict resolution skills: Address disagreements or concerns calmly and professionally to maintain productive working relationships.
• Analytical thinking: Review reports and program data to identify trends, correct errors and improve service delivery.
• Crisis management skills: Respond thoughtfully to difficult situations and help staff de‑escalate conflict or urgent client needs.
• Technical skills: Confident use of computer systems and software to document services, review reports and communicate with staff and partners.

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.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at [e-mail] and reference job number 07464.

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 (Neo…) 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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