Salary: $71,136.00 - $95,676.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Lakewood, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description DSHS ESA Social And Health Program Consultant 3 - Lead WorkerDSHS's (ESA) is seeking a Social And Health Program Consultant 3 to join the Division of Program Integrity (DPI) in Lakewood, WA. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven team committed to strengthening the accuracy, accountability, and overall integrity of Washington's public assistance programs.
In this role, you lead and guide a team of Quality Control Specialists, overseeing their work and ensuring consistent, accurate performance. You coordinate federally required monitoring for Washington's SNAP and TANF programs, managing the planning and execution of key quality assurance activities. You also train and evaluate staff as they conduct SNAP case reviews and verify TANF participation, ensuring all processes meet federal compliance standards and support program integrity.
As a Social and Health Program Consultant 3, you'll play a key role in our mission by serving as a designated specialist in state and federal policies, ensuring all quality control reviews meet federal regulations and guidance. This position offers a hybrid work schedule and travel is required.
Some of what you'll do:- Train staff on relevant policies and procedures and ensure they have the information needed to meet their responsibilities.
- Monitor staff work, conduct lead worker audits, resolve audit concerns, and coach employees to meet performance expectations.
- Assess and prioritize team workload to ensure staffing resources align with deadlines and deliverables.
- Participate in team meetings, provide training updates, and support process design and implementation to meet DPI goals.
- Travel to offices and community locations to conduct SNAP Management Evaluation reviews, customer interviews, and program integrity activities.
- Analyze data to identify root causes of program risks, draft findings reports, and recommend corrective actions.
- Serve as a division specialist for TANF, SNAP Management Evaluation, and SNAP QC requirements, providing policy interpretation.
- Serve as backup to the Program Integrity Manager.
What we're looking for:- Ability to research, analyze, and interpret state and federal regulations and legislation related to DSHS programs.
- Experience auditing eligibility determinations for Washington's Basic Food Program and familiarity with the WorkFirst Program.
- Skill in identifying error trends and root causes through data review and analysis.
- Ability to write clear, technical reports that present complex information using multiple data elements.
- Experience communicating with and serving as a liaison to state partners and executive leadership.
- Strong critical thinking, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and project responsibilities.
- Expertise in ESA systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn new software as required.
Who should apply?One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2, Social Service Specialist 3, or Financial Services Specialist 4 or above.
OR
Two years experience as a WorkFirst Program Specialist or equivalent work experience with automated eligibility systems.
OR
A Master's degree or higher in Social Work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field, and three years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
OR
A Bachelor's degree in social work, a health or social science, public administration or a related field; and four years of professional experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, or health services programs.
Note: Additional qualifying experience/education will substitute, year for year.
Interested?Along with your application and resume, please submit a letter of interest.
Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at and reference job number 08422.
