DSHS HCLA WCF Business Operations Project Manager

DSHS HCLA WCF Business Operations Project Manager

Salary

$89,975.00 - $122,492.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-05475

Department

Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division

HCLA

Opening Date

07/13/2026

Closing Date

7/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits

Description

The WA Cares Fund is seeking a WA Cares Business Operations Project Manager to join our growing team. Join the WA Cares Fund team within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) to help develop the nation's first social insurance program for long-term care. This is a unique opportunity to be part of the reason Washington State continues to lead nationally in long-term care policy and insurance coverage for all working Washingtonians.

Our team is responsible for designing and implementing this groundbreaking program and helping Washingtonians understand their new benefit. Your experience will support the Department of Social and Health Services mission to partner with people in accessing support, care, and resources.

The official workstation for this position is in Olympia and offers flexible hybrid remote work. You can be based anywhere in Washington State. However, occasional travel may be required based on business needs. This is a WMS 2 (Washington Management Service) position.

As the Business Operations Project Manager, you will direct and manage projects that support divisional operations, including policy development, training, implementation, and operational support. Serving as the project manager and subject matter expert for strategic business and operational initiatives, you will lead cross-functional projects from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.

You will coordinate project activities, oversee workflow, and apply project management best practices to deliver successful outcomes. In addition, you will contribute to division-wide continuous improvement, operational excellence, and organizational change management efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, improve efficiency, and support the successful adoption of new business practices.

Some of what you will be doing:

• Lead business project initiatives from project charter development through design, policy development, implementation, and closeout.
• Identify and prioritize projects requiring project management support, coordinating efforts across staff, leadership, and external partners.
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate project plans, recommending solutions and corrective actions to the Operations & Strategy Manager, and Deputy Director.
• Plan and manage process improvement initiatives by developing tools, templates, and standardized practices that improve efficiency, quality, and operational performance.
• Ensure project documentation, decisions, and records are accurate, organized, and readily accessible.
• Prepare concise, actionable reports and executive briefings that support informed decision-making by senior leadership.
• Apply industry best practices in project management, process improvement, and change management to support successful implementation of new technologies and business processes.
• Oversee the completion of division assignments and efforts that are required by DSHS/HCLA and assigned to WCF Operations. These include reports, projects, and high priority tasks on a wide variety of topics, many of which are undefined until requested.
• Analyze, synthesize, and present complex operational and strategic information to senior leadership to support business planning and organizational decision-making.
• Build and maintain knowledge of current and future operational priorities, strategic initiatives, and business plans.
• Research, prepare, and deliver briefing materials that equip executive leadership for meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead assessments and information-gathering efforts to identify current and future operational and business needs.
• Ensure projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with applicable statutes, policies, and organizational standards.
• Translate business requirements into effective implementation strategies, project plans, and measurable deliverables.
• Track project milestones, monitor progress, and document outcomes to ensure project objectives are achieved.

Who should apply?

Master's degree in business administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Health Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.

• Successful completion of formal project management training or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Two years of demonstrated experience applying project management principles and tools, process improvement methodologies, and Lean practices.
• Three years of progressively responsible qualifying project management experience mentioned below .

OR

Bachelor's degree in business administration, Public Administration, Public Health, Health Administration, or a related field.

• Successful completion of formal project management training or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Two years of demonstrated experience applying project management principles and tools, process improvement methodologies, and Lean practices.
• Five years of progressively responsible qualifying project management experience mentioned below.

Qualifying project management experience includes:

• Knowledge of program and project management tools, as well as continuous improvement, change management, and evaluation tools and methods.
• Coordinating executive-level work without direct supervisory authority to do so, and evaluating the impact of changes in procedures, policies, and legislation on the division strategic plan and current service delivery programs.
• Experience managing program projects from conception through implementation, including scheduling, task delegation and management, risk, and issue management, and facilitating sponsor and partner engagement and communication.
• Experience researching, evaluating, assessing, and making informed recommendations to leadership regarding significant, critical, and often highly confidential issues and initiatives.
• Working knowledge of Process Improvement and Project Management concepts and terminology, and ability to apply PI and PM frameworks to work.

OR

Years of experience as stated above may substitute for year per year of educational requirements.

Skills, behaviors, and competencies required:

• Creative thinking: ability to integrate abstract concepts and present complex ideas effectively with diverse audiences.
• Develop positive working relationships with internal and external partners including legislators, providers, advocates, consumers, professional educators, managers, and staff.
• Ability to draft correspondence and have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a broad spectrum of internal and external partners, other state agencies, departments, and advocates.
• Positively represent the department and communicate effectively both orally and in writing to staff, management, and during public meetings, forums, and community presentations.
• Demonstrate ability to think clearly, prioritize tasks, spot quality issues, and handle complex work independently while meeting attendance and punctuality expectations.
• Collaborate and work well with others by building consensus, listening actively, resolving conflicts, and facilitating meetings to deliver accurate, thorough, and timely results with minimal supervision.
• Working knowledge of statistics and ability to independently utilize computer programs including Word, Smartsheet, and Excel, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, analysis, email, and remote meeting programs.
• Effective report writing, including complex, clinical, or technical documents.

Preferred / desired education, experience, and competencies:

• Knowledge of organizational change management principles
• Knowledge of quality improvement practice and procedures.

Interested? Please list 3 professional references' contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role.

Questions? Please contact raoa@dshs.wa.gov reference job number 05475

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.

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 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

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

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