DSHS HCLA Adult Family Home Licensor - Long Term Care Surveyor

DSHS HCLA Adult Family Home Licensor - Long Term Care Surveyor

Salary

$69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually

Location

King County - Kent, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-05662

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

HCLA

Opening Date

07/10/2026

Closing Date

7/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

DSHS HCLA Long Term Care Surveyor - Adult Family Home Licensor

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable adults and ensure they receive quality services within Adult Family Home community settings?

Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), Residential Care Services, is looking to hire an Adult Family Home Licensor to join our team and serve those in the King county area with a duty station located in Kent, WA. In this role, you will conduct Adult Family Home (AFH) on-site full licensing inspections, as needed complaint investigations, follow-up visits, and monitoring visits.

This work is critical to protecting vulnerable adults in our state. Residents of adult family homes often rely on caregivers for activities of daily needs, including medication management, nutrition, personal hygiene, and overall safety. As an AFH licensor, it is essential to identify potential issues early whether related to medication errors, unsafe living conditions, or patterns of neglect to ensure the providers are held accountable for complying with state regulations and maintaining quality standards of care.

Please note: New team members begin their employment onsite for orientation and initial training. After completing orientation, the schedule transitions into a blend of fieldwork, in-office days, and telework, based on business 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 youll do:

• Conduct full licensing inspections and complaint investigations for adult family homes, and complete required reports and data entry, such as statements of deficiencies and investigation summaries.
• Observe how staff care for residents and how the home runs day to day, sometimes over extended periods of time. Watch and listen for signs of neglect, harm, or unsafe conditions.
• Interview residents, staff, and others to understand how care is actually provided.
• Review resident records, staff files, and other documents to check that care matches what is required by law.
• Write clear, detailed, and legible reports that explain what you found during each follow-up or inspection.
• Review resident assessment and negotiated care plans to evaluate care and services provided against state health and safety rules.
• Recognize and analyze deficient practice and effectively communicate these to team members, other department staff and the AFH staff.
• Conduct follow-up inspections and monitoring visits to ensure home is in compliance with state regulations.
• Serve as a preceptor or mentor for new staff and team members, providing hands-on training and guidance as needed.
• Take part in hearings, internal dispute resolution, and other follow up steps after an inspection/investigation, when needed.
• Use computers and other technology, including portable electronic devices, to complete reports and manage the programs this job requires.

Who should apply? Professionals that meet one of the following criteria:

A master's degree in social work, speech pathology, occupational or physical therapy, psychology, special education, nutrition, sociology, behavioral health, or allied field, AND two years of professional experience in planning, administering, licensing, monitoring or delivering social or health service programs.

• Two additional years of qualifying experience will substitute for the master's degree provided a bachelor's degree in one of the above mentioned fields has been achieved.

OR

A bachelor's degree AND two years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.

OR

Eight years of professional/practical experience working with people delivering social and health services and/or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges.

Note: A degree in Social Work must be from an educational program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Note: For selected positions required to successfully complete the federally required basic certification surveyor training, the basic and advanced state investigator training and completion of approved interviewing technique course.

Note: Employees in positions surveying nursing homes will be required to participate in the Basic Long Term Care Surveyor training provided by the federal government and must successfully complete the Surveyor Minimum Qualification test and all required federal training prior to being certified.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Attention to detail: Notices small changes in a residents care or environment that could point to a bigger problem.
• Communication: Explains findings clearly to home staff, residents, and coworkers, in writing and in person.
• Critical thinking: Reviews records, interviews, and observations to determine if a home is meeting state rules.
• Time management: Completes inspections, reports, and follow up visits within required deadlines.
• Composure under pressure: Stays calm and professional in emotional or tense situations, such as investigating complaints about resident harm.
• Independent judgment: Makes sound decisions in the field, using state rules and regulations as a guide.
• Collaboration: Works with other surveyors, supervisors, and department staff to resolve difficult cases.
• Mentoring: Guides new staff through the inspection and reporting process.
• Promoting equity and cultural competence: Understands and respects the different backgrounds of residents and staff, and applies that understanding fairly and consistently in every inspection.

Interested? Apply today!

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? Email DSHS Recruiter, Georgina Pringle, at Georgina.Pringle@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 05662.

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.

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

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

01

How many years of professional experience do you have in planning, administering, licensing, monitoring or delivering social or health service programs?

02

How many years of professional experience do you have in delivering social and health services or experiencing developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental health challenges?

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

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