Job Description
DSHS ESA Community Services Office Administrator at State of Washington summary:
The DSHS ESA Community Services Office Administrator leads the Bellingham Community Service Office, managing the delivery and operations of public assistance programs such as TANF, WorkFirst, Food Assistance, and Medical and Social Services. The role involves overseeing staff, fiscal management, collaboration with community stakeholders, and continuous quality improvement to support families in need. This position requires strategic leadership, project management, and fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace culture to fulfill the Department's mission.
Salary: $7,060.00 - $9,391.00 Monthly
Location : Whatcom County - Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 08/11/2025
Closing Date: 8/21/ :59 PM Pacific
Description DSHS Community Service Office Administrator The , Community Services Division (CSD) is excited to be looking for a collaborative and skilled leader to join our team as a Community Service Office Administrator for the Bellingham Community Service Office.
Reporting directly to the Regional Administrator of Region 2, you will be responsible for the operations and delivery of Public Assistance Programs to serve individuals and families in need in employment programs including: WorkFirst; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Food Assistance; Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD); Medical and Social Services. You will also be working collaboratively with peers in other offices, community stakeholders, community workgroups, and the Regional headquarters on special pilots and projects.
As the Community Services Office Administrator, you will work with a dynamic and diverse team covering a wide range of programs and services that support our mission. Together, you're responsible for maintaining strong customer-focus, continually improving and sustaining a work environment that supports trust, values diversity, encourages collaboration, encourages innovation and consistently exceeds expectations.
If you are a big-picture thinker who enjoys challenging work in a constantly changing environment, values relationship building and continuous learning, and are comfortable operating with high levels of responsibility on complex issues to support children, adults and families then you can help us make a difference.
Your role within our organization: - Evaluate facility needs and manage facility operations to ensure efficient, cost-effective and safe operations for staff, co-located partners, and clients.
- Manage delivery of public assistance programs and is accountable for program results and outcomes.
- Provide leadership and oversight of new initiatives and utilize continuous quality improvement analysis.
- Exercise fiscal management authority for budget development and expenditures including staffing or FTEs and direct client benefit expenditures.
- Represent the Department in collaboration and program integration with community-based organizations, government organizations (tribal, state, county, city), school districts, contractors and others to promote partnerships to maximize the efficient and effective use of limited resources.
- Actively participate on committees and workgroups which further the department's mission and goals.
- Plan, lead, prioritize, organize and direct the activities and performance of staff; be accountable for program results; utilize continuous quality improvement and performance methods to monitor, evaluate and improve performance results of all public assistance programs administered by the Community Services Division.
- Responsible for hiring, training and development of supervisors and line staff while supporting the state's goal for a diverse workforce.
- Manage labor relations and partnerships with union representatives.
- Train, coach, and mentor direct reports to engage and promote a diverse and culturally relevant staff, and create a culture of learning.
- Assure staff are evaluated, recognized or disciplined in accordance with federal and state laws, agency policies and the bargaining agreement.
What we're looking for: - Knowledge of federal, state and department regulations governing Washington State public assistance services and operations.
- Knowledge of Community Services Division procedures, policies and field operations of an office.
- Knowledge and ability to enact change management principles as well as guide staff through constant agency changes.
- Ability to inspire and promote staff engagement.
- Knowledge of management principles, strategic planning, budget development, and fiscal accountability.
- Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with a diverse audience including community partners, organizations, stakeholders and agency staff.
- Knowledge of the legislative and rulemaking process.
- Ability to assess, plan, and implement organizational effectiveness for short-term and long-term strategic goals.
- Ability to provide organizational leadership to support staff creativity, innovation, and process improvement.
- Ability to use independent judgment to analyze, prioritize and make critical decisions in a high-volume, results-oriented environment, where outcomes come under scrutiny by the public and legislature.
- Working knowledge of Union Management basic agreements, laws, rules and regulations governing public welfare, affirmative action, and equal opportunity.
- Knowledge of project management principles and practices, including experience developing and managing a project plan.
- Ability to facilitate and negotiate with multi-size groups to ensure positive outcomes.
Who should apply? Professionals with a Bachelor's Degree in social work, health or social science, public administration or a related field
AND
Five years of managerial experience in the service delivery field, in either program or line management and/or equivalent years of work experience.
Equivalent experience may substitute year-for-year for the required education.
Interested? Submit the following with your online application: - A current resume no longer than 2 pages in length
- Three current professional references with contact information
- A cover letter no longer than 2 pages in length that clearly articulates how your education and experience has prepared you to be successful in this job. What do you believe is most important to the success of the department's mission?
Questions about this opportunity? Please contact or and reference project 05179.
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 . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or .
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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 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 (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 (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 , 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 .
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
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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Keywords:
public assistance, program management, community services, fiscal management, staff leadership, social services, WorkFirst, TANF, quality improvement, community collaboration
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, For contractors, Work experience placement, Work at office, Flexible hours, Shift work,