INTERNAL ONLY Child Welfare Dependency Administrator (WMS2) - Olympia
Salary
$99,418.00 - $124,272.00 Annually
Location
Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type
Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-06489
Department
Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division
CW Field Operations - Division HQ
Opening Date
08/06/2026
Closing Date
8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
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."
Attention:INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.
Job Title: Child Welfare Dependency Administrator (WMS2).
Location: Olympia, WA - This flexible/hybrid position manages a team of professional staff who are stationed throughout the state. This position requires travel throughout the state, including overnight travel to attend meetings, training, and to engage with the team.
Closes: 08/23/2026
Salary: $99,418 - $124,272 Annually.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Child Welfare Dependency Administrator (WMS2) to fill a NEWLY established position within Child Welfare Headquarters Division. This position reports directly to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare (CW) and is responsible for setting statewide strategy in consultation with the CW leadership team in the dependency work performed by CW staff. This position identifies, develops, plans, decides, and implements DCYF policies and business initiatives related to the CW dependency court system. Although this position's primary focus is the child welfare division, the impact of this position is agency-wide because it must work collaboratively with other divisions that partner with child welfare toward meeting agency mission. This position is responsible for working collaboratively with system partners, such as AAG's, OPD, and tribes, toward a more cohesive strategy within dependency work. This position leads a team of seven professional WMS staff; six are Legal Liaisons who report centrally but work within specific regional catchments, and the seventh is the Dependency Discovery Manager who serves as the statewide expert in dependency discovery and child welfare public records.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This position supervises six Legal Liaisons, established by recent legislation geared toward addressing needs in the CW dependency court system, concerning the Opioid crisis and increased dependency rules under the Keeping Families Together Act (HB1227). The Legal Liaisons work with and provide assistance to DCYF CW caseworkers involved in court cases by collaborating closely with the AGO and other court partners. The liaisons provide training and consultation to CW staff on legally defensible dependency petitions and testimony. They also observe court, attend court improvement symposiums, and help guide continuous quality improvement within the CW dependency process. This position supervises the efforts of the six liaisons and ensures that they are meeting the full objectives of their roles within their assigned catchment areas. This position also supervises the statewide Dependency Discovery Manager who guides dependency discovery staff within the CW Regions through development of standard operating procedures and guiding documents, to ensure that dependency discovery work meets statutory and constitutional requirements of due process. This position ensures that the Dependency Discovery Manager appropriately leads this statewide portfolio while partnering with other DCYF divisions such as ASD and IT, external court partners, and AGO. This position is authorized to make decisions and contribute to field support, AGO coordination, and policy/procedure revisions in partnership with PPS and Child Welfare HQ. This position has the autonomy to interpret policies through expert knowledge of the child welfare safety framework, child welfare legal process, discovery/public records framework, and overall implementation of social service programs within DCYF. This position provides coverage to subordinate staff and ensures technical support and expert consultation are offered to the field on the programs within portfolio.
Some of what you will do:
Required Qualifications:
OR
AND
AND
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:
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.
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 youre experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. 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 Veterans 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.
2026-06489
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
The following questions will be used to verify qualifications. Any variation in your answers verified through the review process may delay your application. You will be asked to verify your education, experience, and the information provided on your online application, including your responses. Accuracy is essential.
02
This is a DCYF internal-only job posting: Are you a current and active employee with the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF)?
03
Which of the following best describes how you qualify for this position?
04
Please briefly describe how you meet the required qualifications outlined in the job posting.
05
How many years of experience do you have in providing direct services to children and families served through the public child welfare system?
06
Do you have a strong understanding of federal and state laws that govern child welfare work, including expert understanding of WACs, policies, and expectations related to dependency actions?
07
Do you have experience in dispute resolution/mediation and/or risk management, including risk mitigation strategy development and implementation?
08
How many years of professional experience do you have supervising professional subordinates and directing their work, including a strong background in performance management?
09
DCYF - How did you hear about this job opportunity?
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
| Location | Olympia, WA |
| Salary | $99,418–$124,272 Per Year |