After-hours and Placement Administrator (WMS2) - Region 5

About the Department

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy— thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: After-hours and Placement Administrator (WMS2).

Location: Tacoma, WA - Region 5. Pierce and Kitsap Counties. This hybrid schedule allows for some teleworking options. Travel within the Region and State is required. Occasional National travel may be required.

Closes: 08/18/2026
Salary: $95,568 - $119,460 Annually.  

 

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for an After-Hours and Placement Administrator (WMS2) who provides administrative leadership over Placement, After-Hours, Rate Assessors, and Multi-systems units within Region 5. DCYF's Field Operations Region 5 serves two counties in Western Washington – Kitsap and Pierce. This includes three federally recognized tribes, five field offices, and centralized and regional programs. This Administrator reports directly to the Regional Administrator and is a member of the Region 5 leadership team. This position provides primary and secondary supervision for 33 incumbents to ensure effective management and adherence to DCYF program mandates and delivery of services in Pierce and Kitsap Counties.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity:
The After-Hours and Placement Administrator provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for regional after-hours operations, ensuring timely, effective, and child-centered responses to emergencies, placement needs, and critical incidents occurring outside standard business hours. This position supervises the After-Hours Program, Placement Support Services, Rate Assessment functions, and Multi-System Coordination efforts to ensure continuity of services for children, youth, families, caregivers, and field staff. The administrator is responsible for promoting safety, placement stability, cross-system collaboration, operational excellence, and compliance with agency policies while supporting staff in making critical decisions during high-risk and time-sensitive situations. In this role, you will manage, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of timely after-hours requests, placement requests, and rate assessors. You will lead Supervisors, Social Services Specialists, and other Administrative staff in
accomplishing the Department’s purpose, which is to keep children and adolescents safe, safely reducing the number of children in need of out-of-home care and strengthening and preserving family connections and their community ties so they can achieve safety, permanency, and well-being.

Some of what you will do:

• Provide direct supervision and performance management to: After Hours Supervisors and Staff, Placement Team Staff, Rate Assessors, & Multi-System Program Manager.
• Support employee development through coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Provide administrative oversight of after-hours operations and emergency response services.
• Ensure consistent decision-making and policy compliance during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Monitor workload distribution, staffing coverage, and resource allocation.
• Develop and implement operational procedures to improve service delivery and response times.
• Provide leadership and oversight of placement coordination efforts.
• Collaborate with regional leadership and field offices to address complex placement challenges.
• Support strategic planning for children and youth with complex behavioral, medical, or placement needs.
• Rate assessment and oversight: ensure timely and accurate completion of caregiver and placement-related rate assessments.
• Provide oversight to the Multi-System Program Manager in coordinating services across child welfare, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, education, juvenile rehabilitation, healthcare, and community providers.
• Support planning and intervention strategies for youth with complex needs requiring multi-system engagement.
• Analyze data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and monitor program goals, performance measures, and quality assurance activities.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, legal mandates, and best practices.
• Participate in regional and statewide planning efforts. Provide leadership and consultation during critical incidents and emergencies.
• Provide partnership and stakeholder engagement with regional offices, tribal partners, community providers, courts and legal partners, other state agencies. 
• Represent the agency in meetings, workgroups, and collaborative initiatives.

Required Qualifications: 

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in management or supervision in Social Services, Mental Health, or Education.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of professional experience in management or supervision experience in social services, mental health, or education.

OR

• A Master’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in management or supervision experience in social services, mental health, or education.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
Utilizes cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with clients, subordinate staff, and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients, including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.
• Builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with law enforcement, courts, providers/vendors, community stakeholders, and with internal/external statewide professionals.
• Evaluates, compiles, and organizes data into reports and policies.
• Directs and evaluates the work of others.
• Understands, conceptualizes, structures, and administers quality assurance programs.
• Applies principles of child protection to a variety of complex family situations to lead staff in making decisions that keep children safe.
• Proven leadership skills in public speaking, mediation, negotiation, and planning.
• Advanced supervisory and managerial skills.
• Advanced knowledge of the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the WA state Indian Child Welfare Act.
• Working understanding of state and federal law and agency policies and regulations concerning public child protective services, Indian child welfare services, risk assessment, safety planning, and permanency and well-being services as delivered in a public child welfare setting.
• Budget analysis, allotments, and fiscal accountability applications.
• Assessing and understanding complex casework options.
• Use of business applications and Child Welfare information computer systems.

How do I apply? 
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:  

• Cover letter
• Resume
• College Transcripts (if applicable). - Unofficial copy of transcripts is acceptable for applying. 

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.  If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
 
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
 
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will 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 position.

Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).

If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter.  If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.          

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission).  If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the Social Security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

2026-06285

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, 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
Parental Leave
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

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov