What are the responsibilities and job description for the DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5 position at Washington State Department of Social and Health Services?
Description
DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5
Location: Applicants must reside in one of the following counties: Franklin, Benton, Walla Walla, or Whitman.
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 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 care services and supports social insurance program.
DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WA Cares Fund is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. Beginning in 2026, 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. Our team is resonsible for implementing the program and helping Washingtonians understand this new benefit. 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. Whilst 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.
Please note: This opportunity offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement as business needs allow. The assigned Duty Station for this position can either be Kennewick, Walla Walla, or Colfax - as part of the application, you will be asked to select the duty station you would be interested in being assigned. Occasional travel to other offices within the assigned region may be required based on business needs.
Some Of What You Will Do
Who should apply?
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
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
Nine years of professional/practical social service experience** performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
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 .
Equivalent education/experience.
Interested? Please submit a current resume, contact information for three professional references, and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.
Questions? Please contact Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 07718.
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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.
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 (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Supervisor - Social Service Specialist 5
Location: Applicants must reside in one of the following counties: Franklin, Benton, Walla Walla, or Whitman.
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 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 care services and supports social insurance program.
DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WA Cares Fund is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. Beginning in 2026, 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. Our team is resonsible for implementing the program and helping Washingtonians understand this new benefit. 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. Whilst 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.
Please note: This opportunity offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement as business needs allow. The assigned Duty Station for this position can either be Kennewick, Walla Walla, or Colfax - as part of the application, you will be asked to select the duty station you would be interested in being assigned. Occasional travel to other offices within the assigned region may be required based on business needs.
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.
Who should apply?
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
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
Nine years of professional/practical social service experience** performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
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 .
- 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.
- NOTE: Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to adult/children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
Equivalent education/experience.
Interested? Please submit a current resume, contact information for three professional references, and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.
Questions? Please contact Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 07718.
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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.
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 (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security