DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Field Administrator

State of Washington•Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role calls for a collaborative, steady, and people-centered leader who supports Adult Protective Services (APS) teams across Region 3. As a Field Services Administrator, you guide daily operations, help staff navigate complex situations, and strengthen partnerships that protect the health and safety of vulnerable adults. You work closely with Tribes, community partners, state agencies, and internal teams to align regional practices with statewide goals and ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery. Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring three APS Field Administrators. One person will oversee two APS offices serving (cities and counties of) Aberdeen, Bremerton and Port Angeles. Another overseeing the Tumwater and Chehalis offices, with the third supervising the Kelso and Vancouver offices and adjoining counties. These are field roles. Occasional travel to other Region 3 offices and APS headquarters in Lacey can be expected.

Requirements

Leads with clarity, inclusion, and accountability.
Supports staff through coaching and communication.
Helps teams succeed through steady guidance and partnership.
Brings sound judgment to complex situations.
Communicates in plain language to support APS work across diverse communities.
Substantial experience in supervising individuals and large teams.
Experience responding to critical situations.
Experience developing solutions.
Experience building community partnerships.
Experience managing complex social and health programs.
Leading regional teams, including supporting mid-level supervisors across a large geographic area.
Applying laws and policies such as APS policy, personnel rules, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
Managing operations by assessing workload needs, aligning staffing, and planning daily and long-term work.
Building partnerships with Tribes, community organizations, law enforcement, and other agencies.
Organizing work to meet deadlines and balance competing priorities.
Communicating clearly in writing and conversation, including preparing concise, accurate correspondence.
Guiding staff through crises and complex case issues while developing solutions that reduce risk.
Navigating conflict, de-escalating challenging situations, and holding difficult conversations with professionalism.
Using sound judgment to assess situations, conduct effective interviews, and support individuals with diverse needs.
Using technology and training others on software systems, reporting tools, and data entry processes.

Nice To Haves

Learn and apply APS policies, WAC, RCW, and complex systems.
Federal laws related to Washington’s Tribal Nations.
Policy development, program planning, and evaluation experience.
Familiarity with HCLA and APS programs.
Understanding of personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Responsibilities

Lead regional field operations, including investigations, customer support, administrative functions, and staffing.
Support supervisors and staff through coaching, clear expectations, and consistent follow-up.
Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate staff while fostering a supportive environment for growth.
Guide regional quality assurance and improvement efforts, partnering with quality assurance staff to identify root causes and strengthen practices.
Build collaborative relationships with Tribes, community partners, law enforcement, courts, and other state agencies.
Participate in multidisciplinary teams to improve investigative quality and outcomes for vulnerable adults.
Provide consultation to APS leadership, Area Agencies on Aging, DSHS divisions, community partners, and legal entities.
Prepare incident reports and media alerts in alignment with policy.
Draft, implement, and monitor regional operating procedures.
Participate in hearings and provide testimony when needed.
Conduct employee fact-finding and program investigations at the direction of the appointing authority.
Represent APS at regional and statewide meetings, workgroups, trainings, and committees.