Salary: $116,013.00 - $138,813.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Community Transitions Office Chief - Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA)

We are in search of a self-motivated, forward-thinking leader to fill a vital statewide role in which their passion for partnering with people who need access to long-term services and supports is displayed every day.

Within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), our Community Transitions Office Chief will lead and support skilled and collaborative teams and thrive in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Here, high-quality, person-centered service delivery is our mission.

Washington is a national leader in rebalancing long-term care , moving away from institutional settings and toward home and community-based services that maximize independence, dignity, and choice. The Community Transitions Office sits at the center of that work. As Office Chief, you will lead statewide strategies that help people leave or avoid entering nursing homes and state psychiatric hospitals, and instead receive the right supports in the setting that's right for them.

This is a rare opportunity to shape policy and program development that touches some of Washington's most vulnerable adults, working across state agencies, the Legislature, the Governor's office, federal partners at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), providers, and advocates.
This is a full-time opportunity based at ALTSA headquarters in Lacey, Washington. A minimum of two days per week on-site in Blake Office East is required.

Some of what you'll do

• Lead key program initiatives and policy development.
• Formulate statewide policy that supports individuals in maintaining as much independence as possible and receiving services in the least restrictive, most appropriate setting that meets their care needs while honoring individual choice and preference.
• Develop and operationalize enhanced community supports for individuals whose complex personal care and behavioral needs require additional services.
• Track and report on Medicaid nursing facility activity with direct budget and statewide system impact.
• Direct the office's budget and legislative work.
• Represent HCS in dealings with other HCLA divisions, state agencies, tribal partners, interested parties, providers, advocates, and the public.
• Serve as a decision-maker on internal and external policy and procedure, strategic initiatives, and program messaging, and identify when a recommendation requires a statutory change.

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public health, public administration, or a related field; and
• A minimum of three years supervising professional-level staff; and
• At least 10 years of experience successfully managing complex Medicaid or community-based delivery of health or social services supports for complex populations involving multi-agency groups and stakeholders.

• Equivalent education or experience may substitute for educational requirements

We are especially interested in applicants with:

• Leading and supporting individuals and teams with care while supporting delivery of divisional priorities and high quality work products
• Experience directing or implementing home and community-based service delivery systems, including development of community-based resources for individuals with functional disabilities due to age, mental health, or physical conditions.
• Experience in LTSS policy and program development for individuals requiring assistance with daily living tasks, medication management, family caregiving, behavioral supports, skilled treatments or therapies, or recovery from mental illness or substance use.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a political environment and collaborate with elected officials, state agencies, tribal governments, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to communicate complex issues to varied audiences.
• Experience managing program projects from conception through implementation, including scheduling, delegation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of human resource management and experience developing measurable goals and monitoring organizational performance.

Questions? Please contact the recruiter at and reference 06232.

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 an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.

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)<