DSHS ESA Risk Mitigation Manager

Salary: $93,249.00 - $124,332.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
We are looking for a Risk Mitigation Manager that has relevant, professional work experience in this area, as well as a positive, resourceful, teachable work ethic.

As ESA's Risk Mitigation Manager, you play an integral part of ESA Headquarters' leadership and serve as the primary subject matter expert accountable for management, oversight, and consultation of the mitigation and prevention strategies created and implemented for ESA. A hybrid telework schedule from anywhere within WA state is available for this Olympia Headquarters-based role.

Some of what you will do

• Develop, implement, and monitor a statewide comprehensive loss prevention/risk mitigation plan; assist in managing the Public Disclosure Unit, which processes thousands of public records requests, multiple discovery requests, and all privacy requests
• Serve as ESA's Privacy Officer, co-manage the critical incident report system, and work with the ESA Data Share Administrator on confidentiality issues
• Serve as ESA's Discovery Manager, issue preservation holds, and work with tort claims and lawsuits
• Manage, coordinate, monitor, and ensure quality and completion of major assignments related to Enterprise Risk Management; develop and implement statewide ERM tools, practices, and policies; and serve as the Internal Control Program coordinator for ESA
• Develop and implement effective statewide communication strategies that inform employees and stakeholders of risk/liability-related issues as well as develop and manage an informational library of resources for administration staff
• Develop and implement training, education, and technical assistance to management and staff on risk management, loss prevention, public disclosure, and privacy matters
• Ensure policies and protocols comply with applicable regulations, rating agency standards, and strategic imperatives of the organization; monitor contract privacy language
• Represent and advise the administration in various statewide risk management-related committees, coordinating with divisional leads on the development of recommendations and implementation plans, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Analyze, advise, and respond to proposed legislative changes related to risk management, public disclosure, privacy, and related matters

Fast forward 6 months: Your understanding of the DSHS's Economic Services Administration is growing. Your current focus is on monitoring privacy within ESA business units. Also, you understand and are using the incident reporting database and quickly responding to concerns when risks are identified. You are researching public sector loss prevention programs and tort claim processes and developing relevant best-practice procedures. And you are building networks between ERM units including Discovery and Public Disclosure.
Who should apply

• Professionals with a Bachelors* degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field

AND

• 5 years progressively responsible experience successfully directing risk management and/or public disclosure/privacy efforts for a large organization; concurrent work experience should include:
  • Advanced level of knowledge and understanding of enterprise risk management principles and practices including contracting/data share agreements, information technology security risk assessments, and internal controls
  • Supervision in or understanding of contract development, oversight, and monitoring; IT contract experience desired
  • Experience analyzing public policy and legislative proposals

* A master's degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of experience. Additional related professional work experience may substitute year for year for the degree.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and understanding of complying with federal and state laws and requirements on public disclosure, privacy, HIPAA, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and effectively delivering information via training and/or presentations to groups
• Research and synthesize complex information using effective communication tools and strong technical, written, visualization, and conceptualization skills with attention to detail and consistency
• Broad, high-level knowledge of the Internet and Intranet as useful communication and training tools; database management

DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources.
This job is classified as Washington Management Services 2 (WMS2). Occasional travel may be expected.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references' current contact information on your application and include your current resume and a letter of interest (up to two pages) specifically addressing the knowledge, skills and experience you have related to this job and responsibilities.

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Grant Grady at and reference project number 09100.
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 candida