DSHS HCLA Social and Health Program Consultant 4

About the Department

DSHS HCLA – Social and Health Program Consultant 4 - Access and Engagement Consultant

Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund (WCF) offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding team members as we introduce the nation’s first long-term services and supports social insurance program.

DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WCF is hiring multiple temporary team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. The innovative work that you do now will aid qualified people and their authorized representatives to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for daily-living activities. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference. 

The Access and Engagement Consultant serves as the program support for their assigned regional provider outreach, engagement, and recruitment strategies with a focus on equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion (EDAI). This position is responsible for coordinating with the Provider Access and Engagement Manager to identify gaps in the provider network and implement targeted strategies to engage providers in rural, tribal, culturally specific, and historically underrepresented communities.

This role reports to the Provider Access and Engagement Manager and is responsible for conducting regional provider outreach, engagement, and recruitment activities to support expansion of the WA Cares provider network. This position serves as a field-based representative of the program, working directly with providers and community partners to increase awareness, participation, and equitable access to long-term services and supports. The Program Consultant uses data, guidance, and priorities provided by the Provider Access and Engagement Manager to inform outreach activities, identify local provider gaps, and support recruitment efforts in rural, tribal, and underserved communities.

Location: This position currently has approval to work a flexible/hybrid schedule, as business needs allow. Travel regionally and statewide is required based on business and training needs. 

Pierce and Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.  

Some of what you'll do:

• Support recruitment efforts by engaging providers identified through data and direction from the Provider Access and Engagement Manager as priority targets.
• Assist in identifying regional provider gaps, participation barriers, and opportunities for network expansion.
• Apply equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion (EDAI) principles in all outreach and engagement activities.
• Conduct direct outreach to long-term services and supports (LTSS) providers, including Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, Care Transition Coordination Organizations, Adaptive Equipment and Technology vendors, Professional Nursing Services, and community-based organizations within assigned regions.
• Represent WA Cares at local provider meetings, community events, and regional forums to promote program awareness and participation.
• Track outreach activities, provider contacts, and engagement outcomes using established tools and systems.
• Use data and outreach priorities provided by the Provider Access and Engagement Manager to guide daily and regional outreach efforts.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute field insights to inform program improvements.
• Conduct frequent statewide and regional travel, including to rural, communities, to perform outreach and engagement activities.

Who should apply?
Professionals who meet one of the following qualifications:

• One year of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 3 or equivalent.
  OR
• Two years of experience as a Social and Health Program Consultant 2 or equivalent.
  OR
• A master’s degree in social work*, health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND four years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
  OR
• A bachelor’s degree in social work*, health or social science, public administration, or a related field AND five years of professional experience planning, administering, developing, or delivering social, financial, health, or chemical dependency treatment services programs.
  OR
• A combination of education and professional experience totaling at least nine years.

*Note: A degree in social work must be from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.


DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. 


 
Interested? Please submit a current resume, contact information for three professional references, and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role. 

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Alex Baclaan at [email protected] and reference job number 04439.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own 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 vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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.

Other Qualifications

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, 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

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Agency Information

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