DSHS HCLA Housing and Employment Office Chief

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: 11/10/2026
Closing Date: 11/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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

We are seeking an executive level leader, who's presence will be vital to the success of our program - utilizing their experience to improve and strengthen statewide strategy, policy, and operations.
In this role you will be responsible for immediate and long-range planning for new and existing settings, services and supports that align with the HCLA's mission and vision. Your broad understanding of housing and employment principals will be the key to your success, granting you the opportunity to not only make an impact on the department but also the lives of clients who are transitioning from institutions to affordable housing.

As an Office Chief you will plan, direct, coordinate and evaluate the activities of the Housing and Employment Office and establish goals and objectives for programs and staff. By partnering with state agencies, community partners, and external sectors, you will expand community based capacity and align needs with legislative goals.

This is a full-time opportunity based at HCLA 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

• Be responsible for the work of the Housing and Employment Office
• Coordinate, oversee, track and report on all aspects of housing and employment work that have statewide budget and system impact including both data elements and budget management
• Direct the development of assumptions for program budget projections; prepare the program narrative for budget requests
• Capture and analyze data critical to HCS program development and process improvement, develops and produces complex reports to assist with analysis and strategic decision making at the program and agency level
• Use expertise with housing and employment content areas, attend and facilitate meetings
• Proactively identify and assign action items required to meet critical business goals; track activities and coach staff to complete necessary assignments
• Lead development, design implementation strategies, and coordinate with operations leadership staff on strategic and long-range business operations planning for diverse programs; identify strategic planning goals, objectives and metrics and report on outcomes

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public health, public administration, or a related field
• A minimum of three years supervising professional-level staff
• 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

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 product
• Affordable housing direction or implementation of the principles and practices of home and community-based service delivery systems with an emphasis on development of community-based resources
• 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 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 #09228.

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