DSHS ESA Risk Mitigation Manager

DSHS ESA Risk Mitigation Manager

Salary

$93,249.00 - $124,332.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-09100

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

ESA

Opening Date

11/06/2026

Closing Date

11/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

Description

We are looking for a Risk Mitigation Manager that has relevant, professional work experience in this area, as well as a positive, resourceful, teachable work ethic.

Nearly one of every four Washington residents turns to the Economic Services Administration (ESA) for assistance with cash grants, food, child support, disability determination, and supports for transition to employment and other services. Each day this customer base of two million receives service from about 3,800 dedicated ESA employees who help diverse individuals and families across Washington state meet their foundational needs and work toward achieving their full potential

As ESAs Risk Mitigation Manager, you play an integral part of ESA Headquarters leadership and serve as the primary subject matter expert accountable for management, oversight, and consultation of the mitigation and prevention strategies created and implemented for ESA. A hybrid telework schedule from anywhere within WA state is available for this Olympia Headquarters-based role.

Some of what you will do

• Develop, implement, and monitor a statewide comprehensive loss prevention/risk mitigation plan; assist in managing the Public Disclosure Unit, which processes thousands of public records requests, multiple discovery requests, and all privacy requests
• Serve as ESAs Privacy Officer, co-manage the critical incident report system, and work with the ESA Data Share Administrator on confidentiality issues
• Serve as ESA's Discovery Manager, issue preservation holds, and work with tort claims and lawsuits
• Manage, coordinate, monitor, and ensure quality and completion of major assignments related to Enterprise Risk Management; develop and implement statewide ERM tools, practices, and policies; and serve as the Internal Control Program coordinator for ESA
• Develop and implement effective statewide communication strategies that inform employees and stakeholders of risk/liability-related issues as well as develop and manage an informational library of resources for administration staff
• Develop and implement training, education, and technical assistance to management and staff on risk management, loss prevention, public disclosure, and privacy matters
• Ensure policies and protocols comply with applicable regulations, rating agency standards, and strategic imperatives of the organization; monitor contract privacy language
• Represent and advise the administration in various statewide risk management-related committees, coordinating with divisional leads on the development of recommendations and implementation plans, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives
• Analyze, advise, and respond to proposed legislative changes related to risk management, public disclosure, privacy, and related matters

Fast forward 6 months: Your understanding of the DSHS's Economic Services Administration is growing. Your current focus is on monitoring privacy within ESA business units. Also, you understand and are using the incident reporting database and quickly responding to concerns when risks are identified. You are researching public sector loss prevention programs and tort claim processes and developing relevant best-practice procedures. And you are building networks between ERM units including Discovery and Public Disclosure.

Who should apply

• Professionals with a Bachelors* degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field

AND

• 5 years progressively responsible experience successfully directing risk management and/or public disclosure/privacy efforts for a large organization; concurrent work experience should include:

• Advanced level of knowledge and understanding of enterprise risk management principles and practices including contracting/data share agreements, information technology security risk assessments, and internal controls

• Supervision in or understanding of contract development, oversight, and monitoring; IT contract experience desired

• Experience analyzing public policy and legislative proposals

• A masters degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of experience. Additional related professional work experience may substitute year for year for the degree.

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Demonstrated experience, knowledge, and understanding of complying with federal and state laws and requirements on public disclosure, privacy, HIPAA, and confidentiality
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and effectively delivering information via training and/or presentations to groups
• Research and synthesize complex information using effective communication tools and strong technical, written, visualization, and conceptualization skills with attention to detail and consistency
• Broad, high-level knowledge of the Internet and Intranet as useful communication and training tools; database management

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

This job is classified as Washington Management Services 2 (WMS2). Occasional travel may be expected.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references' current contact information on your application and include your current resume and a letter of interest (up to two pages) specifically addressing the knowledge, skills and experience you have related to this job and responsibilities.

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.

Questions about this opportunity? Please contact Grant Grady at grant.grady@dshs.wa.gov and reference project number 09100.

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 applicants 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 drivers 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.

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 here. 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. Thats 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

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov