DSHS HCLA Legislative and Policy Analyst

Salary: $98,157.00 - $127,064.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 10/07/2026
Closing Date: 10/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
DSHS HCLA Legislative and Policy Analyst

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) has an amazing opportunity for someone who is well-versed in legislation, enjoys following bills through as they become laws, and coordinating the legislative activity of a large Administration within DSHS.

While each day will be include different tasks, during the legislative sessions, you'll find yourself at your most busy. During legislative session, this position assigns, coordinates and reviews bill analyses daily and tracks progress on bills and hearing schedules to ensure the administration and the department is on top of all potential legislative impacts! This position works with other leadership in the Management Services Division, to coordinate questions from Legislative members and staffers.

Some of What You'll Do

• Conduct research and analysis to support informed policy and program development
• Provides advanced-level policy analysis, technical assistance and subject matter expertise to DSHS, HCLA staff, and business partners
• Subject matter expert on legislative and policy matters where information can be unfamiliar to the department or unclear in intent but where decisions potentially impact programs
• Clearly explain different pieces of legislation and their policy and financial impacts to the public, stakeholders, tribal governments and state agency partners.
• Coordinate meetings with legislative bill sponsors, stakeholders, and tribes in order to garner support for department legislative requests as well as track and implement legislation that passes each session.
• Responsible for influencing decisions affecting the administration's key initiatives
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Assistant Secretary and executive management.
• Coordinate HCLA responses back to our legislative partners.

Who we Want As Our New Analyst
Knowledge
Bachelor's Degree in political science, public administration, business administration, social work, health or social science, or related field
AND
At least 5 years of work experience in the long-term care arena including experience working with state and federal Medicaid laws, regulations, and policies related to long-term care Medicaid programs.

Skills and Abilities
At-least 5 years of work experience at an increasingly challenging and accountable level that demonstrates an advanced level of expertise in the following areas:

• Ability to analyze legislation and prepare responses both at a policy and operational level
• Ability to conduct and interpret research and provide advice and guidance to senior management
• Ability to make critical decisions; follow through with implementation and modifications as necessary
• High-level skill in both oral and written communication with consumers, professional staff, managers and legislators. Must have ability to collaborate with other divisions, administrations and business partners and work with diverse groups and facilitate meetings and group discussions
• Excellent organizational skills, including ability to coordinate multiple projects to meet legislative and administration deadlines.

To Apply-

1. Completed Application
2. Resume
3. Cover Letter

Questions about job number 08072? Contact
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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
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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