Quality Assurance & Systems Strategist (MA5) - Olympia

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 114,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington seeks a Quality Assurance & Systems Strategist to lead QA and CQI efforts supporting FFPSA prevention initiatives. You will analyze data, identify trends, and collaborate across tribal nations, regional staff, providers, courts, and leadership to improve implementation and fidelity to FFPSA requirements.

The role emphasizes equity-driven improvement, policy guidance, and coordination with DCYF and partner organizations to strengthen statewide services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years in QA/CQI or equivalent.
• Experience analyzing policies, laws, or regulations and leading projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead QA and CQI efforts to support FFPSA prevention plan statewide.
• Review data, identify trends, present findings to leadership, shape policy.
• Collaborate with regional staff, tribal partners, providers and courts.
• Support CCWIS integration, federal reporting needs, and compliance monitoring.
• Develop scalable QA/CQI tools and data collection processes.

Skills

Quality Assurance

CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement)

Data analysis

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

WACs/DCYF policies

Job description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community.

Job Title

Quality Assurance & Systems Strategist (MA5)

Location

While the assigned office is in Olympia, WA (1500 Jefferson St. SE) the incumbent must be able to travel to offices and regions throughout the state to attend in-person meetings, training sessions, and conferences. The incumbent may be eligible for telework with some in-person meetings as required.

Closes

Thursday, October 8th, 2026

Salary

$84,792 - $114,072 Annually

The Opportunity

The FFPSA Quality Assurance and Systems Strategist leads and coordinates quality assurance (QA) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts that support Washington’s Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) prevention plan. In this role, you will apply both qualitative and quantitative CQI methods, equity-driven improvement strategies, and deep knowledge of child welfare statutes, WACs, and DCYF policies to strengthen statewide implementation of prevention services.

You will review data, identify practice trends, present key findings to leadership, and help shape training, policy, and field implementation related to FFPSA eligibility, prevention planning, and evidence-based practices. Collaboration is central to this role, working closely with regional leadership, field staff, tribal partners, service providers, courts, and the Child Welfare Leadership Team to address barriers, elevate strengths, and ensure fidelity to FFPSA requirements.

This position also supports DCYF’s long-term system development efforts, including CCWIS integration and federal reporting needs, helping safeguard Title IV-E prevention revenue through strong QA/CQI processes, compliance monitoring, case reviews, and change management activities.

Some of what you will get to do

• Lead the development, use and implementation of culturally grounded QA and CQI tools.
• Collaborate with Tribal Nations and culturally proximate community-based organizations to ensure QA and CQI practices reflect community values and service intent.
• Ensure data collection processes are respectful and align with tribal data sovereignty.
• Lead the development and use of culturally grounded QA and CQI tools.
• Collect and analyze QA and CQI data aligned with the goals of the Family First implementation efforts as well as aligned with performance-based contracting (PBC) quality and outcome indicators.
• Establish a CQI frameworks that incorporates both quantitative (e.g. referral and completion rates, family outcomes, timeliness of services etc.) and qualitative (e.g. interviews, staff/provider reflections, storytelling etc.) data.
• Design and implement feedback loops to ensure data is shared back with community-based organizations, service providers and community partners in a transparent and meaningful way with the purpose of supporting program improvement.
• Collaborate with program leads to facilitate regular CQI cycles with community-based pathway serving organizations, service providers and others to review data, celebrate successes, identify barriers, and come together to create solutions for improvement and ongoing support.
• Assist in developing strategies for scaling and sustaining effective culturally responsive services, ensuring lessons learned from pilot projects are integrated into broader system improvements.
• Utilize QA/CQI activities and data collection to support child welfare and community-based pathway implementation efforts.
• Provide support and ongoing technical assistance to community-based organizations and service providers, with a focus on culturally grounded QA/CQI expectations.
• Provide subject matter expertise, guidance and leadership for the successful implementation of FFPSA program requirements with DCYF staff across Agency and through community-based pathway organizations, providers and Tribal nations.
• Conduct complex analysis and engages internal and external stakeholders to develop and advise policies and strategies related to statewide practice.
• Developing, planning and conducting assessments, case and program reviews.
• Tracks and analyzes performance data and analysis for compliance and program outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field AND five (5) years of demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas: Conducting research
  Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
  Conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  Leading business projects
  Managing business operations
  Business policy development
  Supervising
• OR
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling nine (9) years in the above noted areas.
• AND
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following

• Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
• Previous experience implementing Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement strategies within service delivery.
• Previous experience with strong verbal and written skills using a partnership approach, listening skills and multi-faceted communication strategies.
• Previous demonstrated computer proficiency in Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Track record of taking initiative, follow-though, maintaining flexibility and a willingness to learn and promote racial equity.
• Previous demonstrated experience with work independently and managing programs or projects.
• Exhibits a relentless commitment to anti-racism and addressing diversity, disproportionality and inequity in child and family-serving systems.
• Experience with DCYF child welfare programs and policies.
• Experience collaborating with community partners, local governments, providers, and executive leaders.
• A demonstrated willingness to be innovative, persistent, and client centered.
• In-depth knowledge of program areas managed including: Culturally responsive services & programming
  The tools and supports needed to effectively address equity driven outcomes.
  Program and contract performance evaluation methods, quality assurance, data interpretation, including monitoring and tracking budgets and expenditures.
  Quality assurance and program evaluation methodologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in accessing all information in the data management system.
• Previous experience with state and federal statutes and WACs related to FFPSA, child protection, confidentiality, and child welfare.

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.

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.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will 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 position.

Successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual in-service and other required training.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

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

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB)