INTERNAL ONLY Child Welfare Dependency Discovery Manager (WMS2) - Olympia
Salary
$84,490.00 - $105,612.00 Annually
Location
Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type
Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-07662
Department
Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division
CW Field Operations - Division HQ
Opening Date
09/16/2026
Closing Date
9/29/2026 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 Discovery Manager (WMS2).
Location: Olympia, WA - This position will have in-office and remote work expectations and will require statewide travel for the purpose of delivering training and engaging with field staff.
Closes: 09/29/2026
Salary: $84,490 - $105,612 Annually.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for a Child Welfare Dependency Discovery Manager (WMS2) to join our Child Welfare Headquarters Division. This position is the agency's subject matter expert on the dependency discovery portfolio and leads the statewide process, including all continuous quality improvement efforts. We are looking for someone with experience working with child welfare records, specifically the production of records, an expert in dependency discovery, and a strong understanding of Washington States TORT environment and legal framework related to child welfare.
Click here to learn more about DCYF.
The Opportunity:
This Dependency Discovery Manager is responsible for developing and overseeing a statewide dependency discovery guide and training curriculum for discovery staff and direct service staff. This position ensures dependency discovery work adheres to all laws, precedent, policies, and court expectations. This position is the primary point of contact for all TORT-related discovery and works closely with DCYF's legal officer and AGO's TORT division, ensuring all TORT-related materials are produced timely and accurately. This position is expected to understand all relevant laws within this work and to ensure that child welfare complies with these laws. This position is the lead resource to child welfare staff on the topic of dependency discovery and is accountable for building consistency within the entire division. This position is the liaison between child welfare and other divisions within DCYF on the topic of discovery and is tasked with working closely with ASD on developing technology systems to be utilized by all discovery staff. This position partners with agency leadership on questions about dependency discovery and is responsible for identifying agency risk related to this portfolio. This position also makes recommendations for all improvement strategies and is responsible for establishing statewide performance expectations for discovery staff, in collaboration with child welfare leadership.
Some of what you will do:
Required Qualifications:
Minimum of five (5) years of experience working with child welfare records, specifically records production.
Dependency Discovery expertise and the ability to lead teams toward continuous quality improvement.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to serve as the liaison between Child Welfare, AGO, and other external and internal partners.
Strong understanding of the legal framework related to child welfare, as required to work within Washington State's complex and unique tort environment.
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.
2026-07662
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? (please choose one or all that apply)
04
Please briefly describe how you meet the required qualifications outlined in the job posting.
05
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?
06
Do you have experience in dependency discovery?
07
How many years of professional experience do you have working in Washington States TORT environment and/or the legal framework related to Child Welfare?
08
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 | $84,490–$105,612 Per Year |
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