DSHS DDA Social and Health Program Consultant 4

State of Washington$78K — $105K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or related field, plus 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Master's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or related field, plus 4 years of relevant experience.
  • One year experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent.
  • Two years experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent.
  • Combination of education and experience totaling 9 years, including knowledge of RCWs and WACs.

Responsibilities

  • Provide independent quality assurance support to programs and providers.
  • Monitor provider performance by reviewing quality indicators and complaints.
  • Guide providers on compliance improvements through analyzing citation trends.
  • Use data to identify and evaluate quality issues and risks.
  • Conduct quality assurance home visits, including compliance follow-ups.
  • Support provider training by evaluating and recommending improvements to training systems.
  • Collaborate with regional staff to ensure adherence to care policies and regulations.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and families.
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
  • Robust retirement plans including Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).
  • Option to participate in a Deferred Compensation Program for additional retirement savings.
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, with additional leave options available.
Full Job Description
Salary: $78,504.00 - $105,612.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: DDA
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

DSHS DDA Social and Health Program Consultant 4 - Residential Quality Assurance Specialist

In this role, you support the Residential Quality Assurance Unit's mission to strengthen the quality of community residential services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You serve as a subject matter expert who helps providers improve service delivery, ensure compliance with state and federal requirements, and address emerging areas of concern. Your work centers on continuous quality improvement, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency while overseeing quality assurance activities for both contracted and state-operated residential programs.

If you're passionate about protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring high standards of care, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Some of what you'll do:
  • Provide independent quality assurance support by advising programs and providers on service quality and compliance.
  • Monitor provider performance by reviewing certification citations, complaints, plans of correction, and overall service quality for adults and children.
  • Guide providers on compliance corrections by analyzing citation trends and implementing systemic interventions such as training and technical assistance.
  • Use data to identify quality issues by running reports and evaluating trends, risks, and systemic concerns.
  • Conduct quality assurance home visits including citation follow-ups, special reviews, and compliance determinations.
  • Support provider training processes by reviewing internal training systems and recommending improvements.
  • Collaborate with regional staff to ensure client care aligns with WAC, policy, and contract requirements.
  • Deliver targeted technical assistance by providing training, tools, and consultation to residential providers.
  • Document provider activities in the Residential Agencies Tracking Database and follow up on quality assurance findings.
  • Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements by reviewing residential settings, addressing mortality review recommendations, and supporting regional case management needs.

Who should apply?
A bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field; AND 5 years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
A master's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration, or a related field; AND 4 years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent.
OR
Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent.
OR
A combination of professional experience/education of 9 years in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs including and implementing RCWs and WACs.

Interested? Please provide:
  • A current resume.
  • Letter of interest describing your experience related to this job.
  • Three references.

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Vincent Hamilton at and reference project number 06501.

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.

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 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

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

Do you have professional experience working in the community with individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities? If so, please describe.
02

Do you have any experience in quality assurance or contract monitoring? If so, please describe.
03

This position requires visiting homes and conducting reviews in-person throughout Region 2. Will you be able to meet this requirement?
Required Question

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