Salary: $88,211.00 - $120,090.00 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: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 6/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Food security for older adults doesn't happen by accident.

As the State Unit on Aging Program Manager, you'll be the state's lead on nutrition programs that reach older adults and people with disabilities across Washington - programs that determine whether someone has a hot meal delivered to their door, access to fresh produce, or a place to share a meal in their community.

You'll work within the Home and Community Services Division, partnering with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) across the state to ensure Senior Nutrition Programs - including the Older Americans Act (OAA) Congregate and Home Delivered Meal Programs and United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program - are running in compliance with federal rules and meeting the people who need them most.

This role is policy, planning, and partnerships in equal measure.

You'll develop accountability systems, provide technical assistance to AAAs, serve as staff support to the Washington State Council on Aging, and lead authorship of the federally mandated State Plan on Aging every four years. You'll also manage the state's grant with USDA and serve as the primary point of contact for legislators, stakeholders, and community partners on all things senior nutrition.

If you have a strong grasp of aging services, know how AAAs operate, and want to shape how Washington supports its older adults - this role is built for you.
Some of What You'll Do

• Serve as the state's primary resource on Senior Nutrition Programs, Older Americans Act requirements, and the Volunteer Services program
• Provide technical assistance to AAAs in planning, contracting, monitoring, budgeting, and fiscal management
• Monitor AAA compliance with OAA standards and develop quality assurance mechanisms
• Provide policy and staff support to the Washington State Council on Aging, including coordinating meetings and membership
• Lead authorship of the State Plan on Aging (completed every four years) and the annual State Plan submitted to USDA
• Analyze legislation impacting assigned program areas and provide bill analysis with recommendations to leadership
• Negotiate and monitor an inter-agency agreement with the Department of Health for infrastructure
• Draft management bulletins to AAAs communicating policy and standards updates

Who Should Apply
You meet the minimum qualifications if you have:

• A bachelor's degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND five years of professional experience planning or administering community-based supportive services for older adults and/or people with disabilities,

OR

• Nine years of professional experience planning or administering community-based supportive services for older adults and/or people with disabilities

Preferred:

• A master's degree in a related field and/or Certified Public Manager (CPM) credential
• Credentials as a Registered Dietician, Certified Nutritionist, and/or Food Program Management certification
• Demonstrated knowledge of AAA operations and OAA program regulations, particularly Senior Nutrition Programs

How to Apply
Submit your resume, a cover letter describing how your experience aligns with this role, and three professional references.

Questions?
Email recruiter Kris George at and reference job number 04214.

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