DSHS HCLA APS Policy Program Manager

Description Are you committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable adults? Join the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) as a Policy Program Manager for Adult Protective Services (APS). You will collaborate closely with the Adult Protective Services leadership in this pivotal role to shape and refine statewide policies and procedures. Your knowledge will guide legislative decisions, bill analysis, and strategic initiatives to protect those in need. You will guide and train business partners and community organizations across the state on Adult Protective Services policies and procedures. As a key point of contact for regional offices, you'll address policy clarifications and procedural questions, ensuring alignment and consistency. Additionally, you'll contribute to workgroups and Adult Protective Services training curriculum reviews, attend case briefings, and compile essential reports.

This Lacey-based role offers a hybrid telework schedule with occasional travel requirements. Some of what you will do

• Work in close conjunction with the Senior Policy Advisor in the development of decision packages for legislation during the legislative cycle, as well as decision packages requested by the Management Services Division within HCLA and completes bill analysis on legislative bills that may impact the APS program.
• Conduct in-depth research on adult protective services policies to inform policy development and updates.
• Develop and update statewide policies and procedures for the Adult Protective Services program.
• Facilitate meetings and work with partner agencies and community organizations to provide policy guidance and training.
• Coordinate with program managers to study and revise policies and procedures.
• Provide oversight and management for contracting needs and statewide contracts.
• Present at community engagements, and develop educational presentations for various groups, including local law enforcement and community organizations.
• Collaborate with leadership and program staff on initiatives to protect vulnerable adults, including incident reviews and guardianship projects.
• Play a key role in review panels for the Vulnerable Adult Abuse Registry.

Who should apply Professionals with nine* years of experience in social work, health or social science, public administration; concurrent work experience should include:

• Use of advanced program management skills.
• Understanding of a diverse organizational culture and business processes.
• Knowledge of federal and state long-term care regulations and policies related to due process.
• A bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or related discipline will substitute for 4 years of above social work, health or social science, public administration work experience. A master's degree will substitute for 6 years of this work experience.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Five years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3 in APS conducting field investigations.
• Experience with writing and techniques of policy development and management, including principles and practices of program planning and evaluation.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with management, peers, clients, and the public.
• Resolve conflicts and concerns among people or agencies with diverse personalities and goals.
• Team-oriented, contributing to development, cohesion, and productivity.
• Conduct research and evaluations, including surveys, tests, and assessments, with the ability to scrutinize data.
• Produce accurate, thorough, and timely work products with minimal supervision.

We partner with people to access support, care, and resources. This job is classified as a WMS2. Interested? Please list 3 professional references contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role. 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 Questions about this opportunity? Please contact the recruiter, Chris Pulley, at chris.pulley@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 09141 as the subject.

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.

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.

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Benefits

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