Community Assistance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $85,310.00 - $113,748.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-05916
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Want to get in at the ground level of this exciting opportunity? The WA Cares Fund Community Assistance Network Manager is within Office of the Assistant Secretary and reports to the WA Cares Fund Benefits and Customer Care Administrator. The Department's Home and Community Living Administration administers home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities. The Home and Community Living Administration helps people with disabilities and their families obtain appropriate quality services to maximize independence, dignity, and quality of life.
The WA Cares Fund team is responsible for statewide planning and implementation of the WA Cares Fund, a first-in-the-nation social insurance program, created by the Legislature as the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program in 2019, to provide affordable long-term care insurance coverage for all working Washingtonians.
You will be responsible for the development and ongoing oversight and support of the Community Assistance Network. The Community Assistance Network is made up of contracted community-based organizations who assist Washingtonians with submitting their application for WA Cares Fund benefits. You'll work with Community Assistors to ensure they are trained, updated on WA Cares application policies and procedures, monitored for quality assurance, and ensure all assistors are properly registered and/or contracted. You must be able to respond quickly to requests for information. You will be accountable to and responsible for carrying out the expectations of the Director and for representing the division in whatever capacity the Director deems appropriate in ensuring outcomes are achieved.
In this role, you'll serve as the liaison between WA Cares and the Community Assistance Network, serving on committees and workgroups and as a subject matter expert. You will participate in the development of statewide policies in the areas affecting application processes and WCF Community Assistors. You'll be responsible for developing Quality and Performance Standards and practices within the Community Assistance Network, and for their statewide implementation. This includes developing process improvement and quality assurance expectations, identifying best practices, and communicating expectations to the network.
This position requires advanced communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills to work with the Community Assistance Network, WA Cares, and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) partners. You will have regular and frequent communication with WA Cares Fund Operational Leadership to prioritize new and changing business needs and provide consultation, advise, and update on progress.
This is a fully remote opportunity with occasional in-person meetings on a quarterly or as-needed basis.
Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
Some of What You'll Do

• In this leadership role, you'll provide consistent guidance, direction, implementation of policies and other resources to the WCF Community Assistance Network to successfully assist beneficiaries through the application process.
• Serve as a resource and a liaison between WA Cares Fund Program and the WCF Community Assistance Network (CAN).
• Create and deliver training for implementation as needed for WCF Community Assistors.
• Support the development of work plans for maximizing operational efficiencies with WCF Community Assistors.
• Effectively communicate with the public, staff, division, legislature, partners, and the WCF Community Assistor network
• Establish and chair a regular cadence of meetings with WCF Community Assistors to share best practices, overcome obstacles, and create unity among the network.
• Collaborate with the Area Agencies on Aging AAA to develop and maintain consistent information, guidance, and messaging across the Community Assistance Network (CAN) and the AAA.
• Interpret cross-agency rules, policies, procedures, and WA Cares requirements. Refer complex cross-agency issues to Employment Security Department (ESD) or Health Care Authority (HCA) partners.
• Ensure the WCF Community Assistance Network is properly contracted, licensed, and current on all training, and is performing work in line with WA Cares Fund policies and procedures.
• Draft, review, finalize and update the WCF Community Assistance Network contract language, performance measures, and update as needed.
• Monitor the Community Assistance Network contract to ensure compliance with contract requirements, deliverables, performance expectations, reporting requirements, and program policies. Ensure contractors meet established timelines and quality standards. Review and identify risks or areas for improvements, and provide technical assistance and corrective action guidance as needed.

Some Keys to Success

• In the first few weeks, build a strong understanding of the Community Assistance Network, its roles in supporting the WA Cares Fund. Become familiar with contract requirements, program operations, and the scope of the Community Assistor services. Use your curiosity to learn the program, ask questions, and build relationships with key partners. You will have the autonomy to enhance and manage the program while working with established priorities and budgets.
• Lead the execution of the Community Assistance Network contracts by partnering with contracted Lead Community-Based Organizations (Lead CBOs) to complete initial deliverables, establish program operations and implementation. Support onboarding, implementation planning, and rollout of the Community Assistance Network, including coordination of training and curriculum development.

What We're Looking for
Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, business administration, public administration, healthcare administration, or related field AND a minimum of five years of managerial experience in the service delivery field, either in program or line management AND/OR equivalent years of work experience.
Equivalent experience may substitute year-for-year for required education.
Preferred

• Knowledge of HCLA information systems (CARE, etc.), state payment systems (ProviderOne, etc.), and system readiness principles.
• Knowledge of existing federal statutes, regulations, and programs operating under Medicaid and the Older Americans Act.
• Knowledge of Washington State Assistor Network, Community Assistance programs, and regional and local public health settings.
• Demonstrated experience in continuous improvement: originating action to improve existing conditions and processes, identifying improvement opportunities and contributing to generating and implementing solutions.
  Here's Why People Like you Choose to Work for DSHS:

Questions? If you have questions about job number 05916, please contact , or phone (360) 725-5810.
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 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 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.
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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 a