DSHS HCLA Office Chief, State Unit on Aging

About the position

Join the dedicated State Unit on Aging (SUA) office within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Home and Community Services (HCS) division as an Office Chief. We lead statewide efforts to support older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers. As part of HCS, we work with key partners to deliver person-centered, community-based programs that promote dignity, independence, and quality of life. As the Office Chief of the State Unit on Aging (SUA), you will play a central leadership role in shaping Washington's long-term services and supports system for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers. This position directs planning, policy development, and oversight of a broad portfolio of state and federally funded programs, including Medicaid case management, Older Americans Act programs, including family caregiver support, senior nutrition, dementia care, and community-based services administered through Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other partners. You will manage and oversee a team of dedicated professionals who are responsible for the successful implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of the programs outlined above. This team is focused on ensuring program integrity, innovation, equity, and compliance across a wide range of aging and disability services. You'll lead complex contract negotiations, funding allocation strategies, and policy decisions that influence long-term support and services across the state. This role also provides strategic guidance on high-impact initiatives such as Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment Reporting and Evaluation tool (CARE) policy, the Alzheimer's State Plan, and the Multisector Plan on Aging. Collaborating across state agencies, Tribal governments, and interested parties, you will help ensure a coordinated, person-centered delivery system while balancing regulatory requirements, provider interests, and the needs of Washington's aging population. In this position, you will oversee key compliance and program evaluation efforts, manage discretionary funding to support innovation, and provide strategic recommendations on legislative, legal, and budgetary matters. This role is ideal for a systems-level thinker with deep experience in long-term support and services, a strong grasp of funding mechanisms and program operations, experience collaborating with partners, and a commitment to mission, innovation, and impact in public service. This position offers flexible, hybrid/remote work. Occasional travel in and out of state may be required based on business needs. The official duty station is in Lacey, WA.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide planning and policy development for long-term services and supports, including Medicaid, Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, and family caregiver/kinship caregiver initiatives.
• Oversee administration of community-based programs such as senior nutrition, dementia care, legal services, family and kinship caregiver support, and the Community Living Connections network.
• Manage and support a team of professionals responsible for program operations, compliance monitoring, and technical assistance to ensure effective and accountable service delivery.
• Negotiate and manage complex funding allocations and contracts with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other providers, ensuring alignment with policy and legislative requirements.
• Direct program evaluation and data analysis to support funding decisions, policy adjustments, and performance improvements across multiple service areas.
• Guide development and implementation of high-profile initiatives, including the Alzheimer's State Plan, Multisector Plan on Aging, and Medicaid transformation projects.
• Coordinate with key interested parties, Tribal governments, state and federal agencies, legislative bodies, and advocacy organizations to align strategies and strengthen partnerships.
• Advise executive leadership on budget priorities, legislative proposals, litigation risks, and system modernization, with a focus on equity and workforce sustainability.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration or related field and a minimum of seven years of experience in planning and/or administering community-based supportive services for seniors and/or people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in management principles including policy writing, leading large projects, and community service planning and development with the ability to plan, develop, and implement policy initiatives and changes.
• Knowledge and experience in social service design, policy development and implementation of programs.
• Ability to analyze state and federal laws and regulations and interpret statutes and regulations into policies and procedures.
• Experience in and knowledge of principles and practices of home and community-based service delivery systems, payment systems, vendor contracts and client eligibility rules for functional and financial requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to make critical decisions, follow through with implementation and modify as necessary.
• Strong fiscal and analytical skills, including experience with rate setting, funding allocation models, program budgeting, and interpreting regulatory or legislative impacts on service delivery.
• Experienced in cultivating respectful government-to-government relationships with Tribes and fostering collaborative engagement with local governments, provider networks, advocacy organizations, and interagency partners to achieve shared priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, with the ability to apply anti-racist, culturally responsive practices to leadership, service delivery, and workforce development in public health and human services systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal regulatory frameworks, such as the Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Revised Code of Washington (RCW), and applicable Medicaid and Older American Act (OAA) regulations.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in public administration, business administration, human services, healthcare administration, social work, organizational management, or related field.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and leading through influence, with a focus on staff development, performance accountability, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Experience in informing and advising agency management about the policies and procedures of long-term care programs.
• Experience in and in-depth knowledge of the administration's electronic assessment tool (CARE) eligibility and classification system algorithm and experience working in the tool.
• Experience with long-term services and supports systems, including familiarity with Medicaid home and community-based services, Older Americans Act programs, and caregiver support initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic planning and policy development for complex, multi-program environments, with a track record of advancing system innovations, launching initiatives, and aligning efforts with federal and state goals.