After-hours and Placement Administrator (WMS2) - Region 5

State of Washington•Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for an After-Hours and Placement Administrator (WMS2) who provides administrative leadership over Placement, After-Hours, Rate Assessors, and Multi-systems units within Region 5. DCYF's Field Operations Region 5 serves two counties in Western Washington – Kitsap and Pierce. This includes three federally recognized tribes, five field offices, and centralized and regional programs. This Administrator reports directly to the Regional Administrator and is a member of the Region 5 leadership team. This position provides primary and secondary supervision for 33 incumbents to ensure effective management and adherence to DCYF program mandates and delivery of services in Pierce and Kitsap Counties. The Opportunity: The After-Hours and Placement Administrator provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for regional after-hours operations, ensuring timely, effective, and child-centered responses to emergencies, placement needs, and critical incidents occurring outside standard business hours. This position supervises the After-Hours Program, Placement Support Services, Rate Assessment functions, and Multi-System Coordination efforts to ensure continuity of services for children, youth, families, caregivers, and field staff. The administrator is responsible for promoting safety, placement stability, cross-system collaboration, operational excellence, and compliance with agency policies while supporting staff in making critical decisions during high-risk and time-sensitive situations.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of professional experience in management or supervision in Social Services, Mental Health, or Education.
OR A Bachelor’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field and five (5) years of professional experience in management or supervision experience in social services, mental health, or education.
OR A Master’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field and three (3) years of professional experience in management or supervision experience in social services, mental health, or education.
AND The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Utilizes cultural competency to understand, communicate with, and effectively interact with clients, subordinate staff, and other individuals across cultures, focusing on understanding and respecting the strengths of the clients, including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles.
Builds and maintains collaborative working relationships with law enforcement, courts, providers/vendors, community stakeholders, and with internal/external statewide professionals.
Evaluates, compiles, and organizes data into reports and policies.
Directs and evaluates the work of others.
Understands, conceptualizes, structures, and administers quality assurance programs.
Applies principles of child protection to a variety of complex family situations to lead staff in making decisions that keep children safe.
Proven leadership skills in public speaking, mediation, negotiation, and planning.
Advanced supervisory and managerial skills.
Advanced knowledge of the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the WA state Indian Child Welfare Act.
Working understanding of state and federal law and agency policies and regulations concerning public child protective services, Indian child welfare services, risk assessment, safety planning, and permanency and well-being services as delivered in a public child welfare setting.
Budget analysis, allotments, and fiscal accountability applications.
Assessing and understanding complex casework options.
Use of business applications and Child Welfare information computer systems.

Responsibilities

Provide direct supervision and performance management to: After Hours Supervisors and Staff, Placement Team Staff, Rate Assessors, & Multi-System Program Manager.
Support employee development through coaching, mentoring, and training.
Provide administrative oversight of after-hours operations and emergency response services.
Ensure consistent decision-making and policy compliance during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Monitor workload distribution, staffing coverage, and resource allocation.
Develop and implement operational procedures to improve service delivery and response times.
Provide leadership and oversight of placement coordination efforts.
Collaborate with regional leadership and field offices to address complex placement challenges.
Support strategic planning for children and youth with complex behavioral, medical, or placement needs.
Rate assessment and oversight: ensure timely and accurate completion of caregiver and placement-related rate assessments.
Provide oversight to the Multi-System Program Manager in coordinating services across child welfare, behavioral health, developmental disabilities, education, juvenile rehabilitation, healthcare, and community providers.
Support planning and intervention strategies for youth with complex needs requiring multi-system engagement.
Analyze data and performance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
Develop and monitor program goals, performance measures, and quality assurance activities.
Ensure compliance with agency policies, procedures, legal mandates, and best practices.
Participate in regional and statewide planning efforts.
Provide leadership and consultation during critical incidents and emergencies.
Provide partnership and stakeholder engagement with regional offices, tribal partners, community providers, courts and legal partners, other state agencies.
Represent the agency in meetings, workgroups, and collaborative initiatives.