Washington State DSHS / DDA / Assistant Secretary

Link to Online Announcement

State of Washington
DSHS Assistant Secretary of Developmental Disabilities Administration

SALARY $135,107.00 – $180,143.00 Annually
LOCATION Thurston County – Lacey, WA
JOB TYPE Full Time – Permanent
JOB NUMBER 2023-09478
DEPARTMENT Dept. of Social and Health Services
DIVISION DDA
OPENING DATE 09/13/2023
CLOSING DATE 10/8/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
The Opportunity
To join a future-focused agency comprised of people-serving people. We are caring, anti-racist, person-centered, and innovative, dedicated to creating positive change and fostering inclusivity in every aspect of our work.

The Assistant Secretary of the Developmental Disabilities Administration is a valued member of the Secretary’s executive cabinet, responsible for leading an administration that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this role, you will report directly to the Department of Social and Health Services Secretary, and your primary responsibilities will include leading innovative initiatives, ensuring effective communication, and promoting teamwork within and outside the organization. Your strategic vision and forward-thinking approach will be crucial in enhancing the delivery of social services for the residents of Washington. You will work under the direct supervision of the DSHS Secretary to achieve these objectives.

About Us:
DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration provides case management, residential, employment, day services, and other support to clients with developmental and intellectual disabilities. DDA employs over 4,000 people, has a biennial budget of $5.3 billion, and provides critical services to approximately 50,000 clients in Washington state.

Essential Attributes Needed to be Successful:

Are you a candidate with:

• A deep commitment to social justice.
• A commitment to the rights of people with disabilities.
• A commitment to ensuring that when life decisions are made, due consideration is given to the will and preferences of people with disabilities.
• Proven experience in client advocacy, with a track record of championing people with disabilities.
• Strong policy development skills, with the ability to formulate and execute effective strategies.
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with local and state government officials.
• Experience in labor management, budgeting, and financial oversight.
• Proficiency in strategic, progressive planning with a results-oriented approach.
• Legislative experience, with a comprehensive understanding of policy-making processes.
• A great appreciation for the importance of establishing positive government-to-government relationships with sovereign tribes in Washington state.
• An aptitude for stakeholder engagement and skilled in building and maintaining strong relationships.
• A thorough understanding of regulatory compliance and its importance in service delivery.
• Competencies needed to be successful:

Authenticity
Gaining other people’s trust by demonstrating openness and honesty, behaving consistently and acting in accordance with moral, ethical, professional and organizational guidelines.

Leading Change
Driving organizational and cultural changes needed to achieve strategic objectives; catalyzing new approaches to improve results by transforming organizational culture, systems, or products/services and helping others overcome resistance to change.

Strategic Influence
Creating and executing influence strategies that gain commitment to one’s ideas and persuade key stakeholders to take action that will advance shared interests and business goals.

Optimizing Diversity
Establishing and supporting organizational systems, policies and practices that reduce barriers and leverage the capabilities and insights of individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, styles, abilities and motivation.

Energizing the Organization
Motivating increased employee effort by communicating a compelling view of the organization’s purpose and its future state in a way that helps others understand the importance of their contributions and feel how outcomes will be different when they achieve progress.

Building Client Relationships
Ensure satisfaction by building productive relationships and resolving complaints, using appropriate interpersonal techniques to prevent and resolve escalated complaints and regain customer and client confidence.

Client Focus
Ensuring internal and external customers’ and clients’ perspectives drive strategic priorities, business decisions, organizational processes and individual activities while promoting and ensuring valuable customer service

Cultivating Networks and Partnerships
Initiating and maintaining strategic relationships with stakeholders and potential partners inside and outside the organization (e.g., clients, caregivers, family members, peers, state and community partners, external advocates, alliance partners) who are willing and able to provide the information, ideas, expertise and/or influence needed to advance understanding of business issues and achieve business goals.

Emotional Intelligence
Establish and maintain trusting relationships by understanding and correctly interpreting your emotions and the emotions and actions of those around you.

Compelling Communication
Clearly and succinctly conveying of information and ideas to a diverse range of individuals and groups, including members of the Legislature, advocacy groups, and stakeholders.

Primary priorities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive long-term strategy that aligns with DDA’s vision to provide personalized services and support for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their families.
• Cultivate a deep commitment to fundamental strategic and cultural change within DDA in harmony with DSHS’s vision of promoting healthy, safe, and supported communities while safeguarding clients’ rights.
• Ensure the highest quality of services for Washingtonians with intellectual and developmental disabilities, continually advancing best practices in the administration.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines while responsibly operating within the administration’s legislatively authorized budget.
• Create an inclusive environment that places client and stakeholder needs and satisfaction at the heart of all business activities, considering diverse perspectives, including facility and community-based structures.
• Drive the formulation and implementation of public policies that foster self-worth, respect and dignity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ensuring they are recognized as valuable members of their communities.
• Lead and nurture a diverse, well-trained and qualified workforce, fostering engagement and cohesion within the team.
• Participate as a subject matter expert regarding DDA and the broader DSHS enterprise in the Secretary’s Executive Cabinet.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, business administration, public administration, health care administration, finance, clinical psychology, or a related field.
• Master’s degree or terminal degree preferred
• Executive-level experience working in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a local, state, or federal government capacity.
• Executive-level experience with policy development, strategic planning, labor relations, legislative engagement, and social justice initiatives.
• Policy development, strategic planning, labor relations, legislative engagement and social justice initiatives.
• Knowledge of and experience in authorizing government and legislative processes, navigating this environment to achieve agency goals and objectives.
  Effective team management, results-driven leadership, quality assurance, bargaining, excellent communication and problem-solving ability.
• Public policy issues that impact social services for people with disabilities.
• Demonstrated success in collaborative work with labor union partners and with individuals and groups who advocate for people with disabilities.

Our Future Leader
The successful candidate will be a passionate, collaborative leader who values transparency and drives business innovation and change while addressing social inequities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. The expectation is to reimagine the programs and services offered to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as to their families and the employees and contractors who serve them.

Application and Process:

Application Deadline: We encourage all interested applicants to submit their application materials by Oct. 8, 2023. Applications received by this date will receive guaranteed consideration.

1. Application Materials: To be considered for the Assistant Secretary position, we request that you submit the following documents:
   ·   Resume: Please submit a resume or CV highlighting your relevant professional experience, qualifications, and accomplishments.
   ·   Cover Letter: A cover letter addressing your interest and how your skills and abilities align with the requirements mentioned in the job profile.
2. Essay of Commitment to EDAI and Belonging: In addition to your resume and cover letter, please provide a 500-word essay outlining how you would move DSHS’ Developmental Disabilities Administration toward a more just and equitable organization as it relates to supporting those with IDD and their families who live in poverty, in underserved communities, and/or are marginalized based on race.
3. Selection Process: After the application deadline on Oct. 8 our hiring team will review all submitted materials. Applicants with the most relevant demonstrated experience will be contacted for further interview and selection.
4. Offer of Employment: Our goal is to extend an offer of employment to our selected candidate by Nov. 30, 2023. The start date is negotiable.
   Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform 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 mission 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.

For additional information or questions, contact Tracie Kidd at Tracie.Kidd@dshs.wa.gov or 360-628-7870. #2023-09478.

To learn more about the Assistant Secretary opportunity, DSHS and DDA click here to view the executive brochure

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.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Benefits
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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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, are entitled to three (3) 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
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

Agency State of Washington
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Phone
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Website http://www.careers.wa.gov