INTERNAL ONLY CFWS Program Manager (MA5) - Statewide

State of Washington; Washington; On-site; USD 79,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington is seeking an INTERNAL ONLY CFWS Program Manager (MA5) to serve as the statewide child welfare expert. The role involves analyzing data, advising leadership, and developing statewide policy and CQI processes to improve outcomes for children and families.

The position requires experience in child welfare, strong analytical skills, and the ability to manage complex contracts and collaborations with agencies, tribes, and stakeholders across the state.

Qualifications

• Nine years of progressively responsible experience in planning, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services.
• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, social science, health care, or related field with five years of experience.
• Master's degree in social work, psychology, social science, health care, or related field with three years of experience.
• Strong action orientation and willingness to learn and grow.
• Ability to meet the needs of others.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the CFWS Subject Matter Expert (SME).
• Gather quantitative and qualitative data and perform expert-level analysis to assess compliance and outcomes.
• Develop and provide reports to HQ, regional, and executive leadership.
• Use data analysis to identify areas needing improvement.
• Develop, implement, monitor statewide DCYF child welfare services, policies, and procedures.
• Provide expert-level guidance related to CFWS.
• Establish collaborative relationships with DCYF staff, other agencies, tribes, stakeholders, and leadership.
• Identify contracts to implement legislation or achieve performance outcomes.
• Develop new contracts as needed to achieve priorities.
• Draft statements of work, SLA, and MOU language for contracts and partnerships.
• Develop and monitor Performance Based Contracting requirements and standards.
• Manage provider relationships and contract compliance.
• Advise on state and federal legislation, WAC, and policy.
• Draft legislative reports as required.

Skills

Data analysis

Policy analysis

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

CQI

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work/related field

Master's degree in social work/related field

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that \"Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.\"

Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.**

Job Title: INTERNAL ONLY CFWS Program Manager (MA5)

Location: Multiple Locations - Statewide. The duty station is in Everett, WA. However, the official duty station will be updated based on the office location closest to the incumbent. Work is performed within an office, with occasional work in the field and teleworking. Some travel is required. This is a statewide position, and travel to meetings in-state will be required, with possible out-of-state travel.

Closes: 10/18/2026

Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is seeking a CFWS Program Manager (MA5) who will serve as the statewide child welfare expert for services involving children and families. The incumbent in this position must have a thorough understanding of and ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data to advise CWPP, Child Welfare staff, and executive leadership regarding program and practice. The incumbent must be familiar with the latest research and best practices and demonstrate analytical ability for research and data analysis to develop new processes. This position must be proficient in their ability to develop and implementing CQI functions as they work with internal and external stakeholders to identify barriers and areas of strength. This is an amazing opportunity to be the next great fit on the Child Welfare Programs and Practice team.

The Opportunity:

The Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Program Manager reports directly to the Administrator of Child Welfare Programs within the Child Welfare Programs and Practice (CWPP) Division of DCYF. This division is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of practice and programs that assist DCYF with needed services to support positive outcomes for children and families involved with the child welfare system. The CFWS Program Manager role involves permanency and concurrent planning, reunification and trial return home, working with the courts, case plans, courtesy supervision, and supervision. This position will conduct complex analysis and engage internal and external stakeholders to develop and advise policies and strategies related to statewide practice. This position is expected to develop an approach to accomplish tasks by analyzing current processes and determining areas of improvement. The position must identify and integrate strategies to address racial equity within the programs covered and is required to work with complex statutory, policy, and practice matters consisting of unusual, politically sensitive, and complex issues. This position develops formal written findings and recommends actions on program improvement for statewide changes in business processes, develops and implements statewide quality assurance projects, and advises in the development of improvement plans throughout the entire state.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Serve as the Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Subject Matter Expert (SME).
• Gather quantitative and qualitative data and complete expert-level analysis to determine compliance and performance related to program outcomes.
• Develop and provide reports related to assigned program area to HQ, regional, and executive leadership.
• Use data analysis to identify areas needing improvement.
• Develop, implement, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate statewide DCYF child welfare services, policies, and procedures within program area.
• Provide technical expertise, guidance, and significant recommendations related to Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS).
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with other DCYF staff, other state agencies, tribes, stakeholders, and leadership.
• Identify contracts required to implement legislation or to meet state and federal performance outcomes.
• Develop new contracts as needed to achieve agency priorities and program outcomes.
• Develop statements of work, SLA, and MOU agreement language required to execute contracts, establish critical partnerships, and implement program activities.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Performance Based Contracting requirements and standards for contracts.
• Manage provider relationships, contract implementation, and monitor and evaluate contract compliance.
• Provide expert-level analysis, development, and recommendations for state and federal legislation, WAC, and policy.
• Draft legislative reports as required within the program area.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

Nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services.

A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, social science, health care, or a related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in planning, administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services.

A Master’s degree in social work, psychology, social science, health care, or a related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible experience administering, developing, supervising, or delivering family and child-related social services.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas:

• Conducting research
• Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
• Analyzing and interpreting complex data and compiling and organizing it into reports and policies
• Leading business projects
• Data-driven child welfare practice
• Child welfare policy development
• Business policy development
• Providing direct child welfare services and supervising caseworkers or program staff providing child welfare services to children and families

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Previous demonstrated competency in strategic and operational planning, analytical thinking, interpreting complex data, and managing complex projects.
• Principles of quality assurance and continuous quality assurance.
• Consensus-building models and structure, negotiation and facilitation techniques.
• Evidence-based practices to achieve desired outcomes.
• Broad understanding of other DCYF programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, complex office environment with multiple conflicting priorities and audiences.
• Importance of cross-system and administrative coordination and communication.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Social work theories and best practice standards in child protection and child welfare.
• State and federal statutes and WACs related to Child Welfare.
• Principles of coaching, mentoring, and change management.
• Understanding of the connection between research, data, and practice.
• Knowledge of the federal Children and Family Services Review and Program Improvements Plans.
• Ability to assess and identify risk in child protection and child welfare practice.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.