Salary: $89,646.00 - $113,748.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

The WA Cares Fund (WCF) Community Assistance Network Specialist is within ) and reports to the WCF Aging & Community Assistance Network Administrator. The department's Home and Community Living Administration administers home and community-based services through our network of providers to maximize independence, dignity, and quality of life.

The WA Cares Fund division is responsible for statewide planning and implementation of the WA Cares Fund, a first-in-the-nation social insurance program, created by the Washington Legislature as the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program in 2019, to provide affordable long-term care insurance coverage for all working Washingtonians. In July 2023, virtually all Washington employees began paying premiums into the WA Cares Fund and by July 2026, the first group of eligible beneficiaries will be able to receive WA Cares Fund services.

As part of this structure, the WA Cares Fund works closely with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to deliver statewide service coordination and community-based supports and a Community Assistance Network (CAN) responsible for application assistance in local communities. There are 13 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) that will play a substantial role in WA Cares Fund (WCF) operations and up to 12 community-based organizations that will provide local application assistance. The WCF ACAN Specialist is part of the team responsible for AAA program monitoring, policy and procedure development, contracting, and contract oversight.

The purpose of this position is to oversee Area Agency on Aging & Community Assistance Network contracts and monitoring for WA Cares Fund. You will collaborate in the development of quality measures for operations and assist with monitoring for effectiveness and quality. You'll also collaborate on the development of policies and procedures, plan and execute implementation steps, develop shared expectations, and deliver on contract monitoring. You'll use independent judgment, subject matter expertise, and critical decision-making skills related to requests for information, data analysis, and crucial program decisions.

In this role, you'll contribute to transforming lives by preparing for aging Washingtonians and supporting choice on where Washingtonians access services by ensuring local Area Agencies on Aging and Community Assistors are supported in ongoing WA Cares Fund operations.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
This is a flex/hybrid role with quarterly in-office requirements.

Some of What You'll Do

• Provide strategic oversight and management of contracts with the AAAs and CAN partners supporting WCF
• Establish, communicate, and maintain clear contract expectations, performance standards, and accountability frameworks across the ACAN network
• Lead contract planning activities, including development, amendments, renewals, and alignment with program priorities, statutory requirements, and biennial budget decisions
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for ACAN contract structure, scope, and performance expectations for internal leadership and external partners. Draft contract language to distribute funding to AAA and CANS
  • Planning, execution, and development of shared expectations on contract milestones.
  • In collaboration with the WA Cares Fund AAA Manager in the development and negotiation of contract agreements.
• Collaborate with internal WA Cares Teams to ensure contract requirements align with operational capabilities, systems, and service delivery models
• Develop relevant milestone requirements and/or deliverables for AAA activities in accordance with WA Cares Fund goals.
• Facilitate annual contract cycles, including planning, contract drafts, management bulletin drafts, and contract execution.
• Collaborate with Home and Community Living Administration fiscal staff to align AAA budget and billing expectations with contract goals.

What We're Looking for

• Bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or related field and five years of progressively responsible experience with program management, strategic planning, contract development for statewide long-term care programs, and administering community-based supportive services for seniors and/or people with disabilities.

AND

• Concurrently, at least one year administrating contracts for Area Agencies on Aging and developing performance improvement (PIP) plans.

OR

• Year per year of experience as stated above may substitute for the years of required education.

Some of the Required Competencies:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the scope and operations of an Area Agency on Aging and/or Community Assistance Network.
• Knowledge and skills in program management principles including policy writing, project management, contract negotiation, budget development, evaluation, and community services planning and development.
• Ability to interpret statutes and regulation into policies and procedures.
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to coordinate multiple projects and to meet legislative and administrative deadlines.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make critical decisions; follow through with implementation and mediations as necessary.
• Ability to work independently using good judgment when making daily decisions; evaluate a complex case issue and staff with appropriate authority to avoid potential liability and/or negative outcomes. Provide notice to management of those issues and situations that require management decisions.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with internal/external partners and other organizations. Ability to work with diverse groups using facilitation skills.

Here's Why People Like you Choose to Work for DSHS:
Questions? If you have questions about job number 07021, please contact , or phone (360) 725-5810.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 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.
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.