DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Field Administrator

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.

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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