DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Field Administrator

DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Field Administrator

Salary

$93,249.00 - $124,332.00 Annually

Location

Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-07657

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

HCLA

Opening Date

09/15/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Adult Protective Services Field Administrator / WMS2

This role calls for a collaborative, steady, and people-centered leader who supports Adult Protective Services (APS) teams across Region 3. As a Field Services Administrator, you guide daily operations, help staff navigate complex situations, and strengthen partnerships that protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults. You work closely with Tribes, community partners, state agencies, and internal teams to align regional practices with statewide goals and ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring three APS Field Administrators. One person will oversee two APS offices serving (cities and counties of) Aberdeen, Bremerton and Port Angeles. Another overseeing the Tumwater and Chehalis offices, with the third supervising the Kelso and Vancouver offices and adjoining counties.

These are field roles. Occasional travel to other Region 3 offices and APS headquarters in Lacey can be expected.

Some of what you will do

• Lead regional field operations, including investigations, customer support, administrative functions, and staffing.
• Support supervisors and staff through coaching, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff while fostering a supportive environment for growth.
• Guide regional quality assurance and improvement efforts, partnering with quality assurance staff to identify root causes and strengthen practices.
• Build collaborative relationships with Tribes, community partners, law enforcement, courts, and other state agencies.
• Participate in multidisciplinary teams to improve investigative quality and outcomes for vulnerable adults.
• Provide consultation to APS leadership, Area Agencies on Aging, DSHS divisions, community partners, and legal entities.
• Prepare incident reports and media alerts in alignment with policy.
• Draft, implement, and monitor regional operating procedures.
• Participate in hearings and provide testimony when needed.
• Conduct employee fact-finding and program investigations at the direction of the appointing authority.
• Represent APS at regional and statewide meetings, workgroups, trainings, and committees.

Who should apply

We are looking for someone who leads with clarity, inclusion, and accountability; supports staff through coaching and communication; and helps teams succeed through steady guidance and partnership. You bring sound judgment to complex situations and communicate in plain language to support APS work across diverse communities.

This role also requires substantial experience in supervising individuals and large teams, responding to critical situations, developing solutions, building community partnerships, and managing complex social and health programs. You may meet the requirements through several education and experience pathways, and the skills and abilities that support success in this role include:

• Leading regional teams, including supporting mid-level supervisors across a large geographic area.
• Applying laws and policies such as APS policy, personnel rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Managing operations by assessing workload needs, aligning staffing, and planning daily and long-term work.
• Building partnerships with Tribes, community organizations, law enforcement, and other agencies.
• Organizing work to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
• Communicating clearly in writing and conversation, including preparing concise, accurate correspondence.
• Guiding staff through crises and complex case issues while developing solutions that reduce risk.
• Navigating conflict, de-escalating challenging situations, and holding difficult conversations with professionalism.
• Using sound judgment to assess situations, conduct effective interviews, and support individuals with diverse needs.
• Using technology and training others on software systems, reporting tools, and data entry processes.

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Learn and apply APS policies, WAC, RCW, and complex systems.
• Federal laws related to Washington's Tribal Nations.
• Policy development, program planning, and evaluation experience.
• Familiarity with HCLA and APS programs.
• Understanding of personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements.

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. This role is classified as Washington Management Services 2 (WMS2). Interested? Please list 3 professional references' current contact information on your application and include your current resume and a letter of interest explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.

Questions? Please contact the Recruiter, Jenny, at bastrjl@dshs.wa.gov or 360-725-5810 and reference #07657. Learn more about DSHS.

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 drivers 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(Download PDF reader). Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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. Thats 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

01

Which APS offices would you like to be considered for? Select all that apply.

• Port Angeles/Bremerton/Aberdeen
• Tumwater/ Chehalis
• Kelso/Vancouver

02

Do you have substantial experience in supervising individuals and large teams?

• Yes
• No

03

substantial experience in managing complex social and health programs?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov