DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

State employee retirement plans

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a seasoned supervisor for the WA Cares Fund program within the DSHS Home & Community Living Administration. You will lead a unit of Social Service Specialists, coach, mentor, and ensure quality service through performance management and cross-agency collaboration.

You will oversee GetCare tool usage, train staff, and drive timely assessments while maintaining program standards and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Requires extensive leadership and team supervision experience.
• Experience coaching staff and providing performance feedback.
• Knowledge of WA Cares Fund program and related policies is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff in line with laws, policies and procedures.
• Set performance expectations and conduct regular one-on-one meetings.
• Audit and review work, ensure timely, quality service delivery and case management.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Staff supervision

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or social services

Tools

GetCare tools

Job description

DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5

Location: This position reports to the Thurston County office in Lacey.

Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund (WCF) offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding team members as we introduce the nation’s first long-term services and supports social insurance program.

DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WCF is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. The innovative work that you do now will aid qualified people and their authorized representatives to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for daily-living activities. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference.

In this role, you will be responsible for prioritizing, auditing, and reviewing assignments to a unit of Social Service Specialists. You will provide coaching, consultation and direction, supporting staff to ensure the best customer experience possible. While honoring an individual’s choice while meeting program and quality needs.

We invite you to partner with us in this meaningful work. We’re seeking someone who is a leader, collaborator, motivator, and skilled communicator who can build rapport, supervise, coach, and mentor others. In this role, you will foster strong relationships and partnerships with a wide range of providers, community-based organizations, and stakeholders, while enhancing the trust of those we serve through the delivery of vital government services.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff on performance and adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Set expectations for performance of unit staff and prepare written performance evaluations. Meet regularly with staff one-on-one.
• Assign, prioritize, audit, and review work assignments of Social Service Specialists, ensuring clients receive quality services that meet their needs and recognize their capabilities and choices through timely and responsive assessment, service delivery, reassessment, and case management.
• Evaluate training needs for staff and provides training and guidance to staff on program requirement and policy.
• Provide comprehensive training to the team on the proper use and application of GetCare assessment tools to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with WA Cares Standards.
• Ensure GetCare assessments are done accurately and timely.
• Conduct ongoing reviews of worker's case records ensuring complete and accurate assessments and service plans, as well as documentation of case activity.
• Prepare written oral reports, documentation, and forms as required for program areas supervised.
• Analyze available information and various reports needed to develop and track performance measures and outcomes in order to equitably distribute workload, correct errors, and identify trends.
• Prepare, appear and testify in judicial and administrative hearing proceedings as required or upon request.
• Collaborate with other organizations, agencies, and community stakeholders. Provides information, technical assistance and consultation to agencies and organizations on WA Cares Fund through public presentations and agency coordination meetings.

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources.

Who should apply?

Nine years of professional/practical social service experience** performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, AND five years of paid social service experience** performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A master’s degree* in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field AND one year of paid social service experience** equivalent Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

OR

Two years as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

Four years as a Social Service Specialist 2.

• 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.

Note: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment.

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.

Supplemental Information

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.

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.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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