DSHS DDA CARE Specialists Unit Manager

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The CARE Specialists Unit Manager for the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) will supervise and guide a statewide team of six CARE Specialists who support field operations. These specialists are regional experts in the administration of the assessment tool information system, not IT support or direct client care providers. The role reports to the Director of Headquarters Operations and collaborates with various stakeholders to maintain standard practices. The DDA manages programs for adults and children with developmental disabilities in Washington State. This position oversees the provincial management of a database tool used by 600 case managers for client eligibility, support documentation, and resource allocation. The focus is on data accuracy and system consistency to meet federal reporting agreements with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ensuring program funding. The manager will oversee the daily application of the Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evolution (CARE) software, including security access and consistency tracking. The team provides training and resources to field staff to create reliable support plans. The ideal candidate has DSHS experience with the CARE tool, understands its capabilities, and seeks to optimize its efficiency. The duty station is Lacey, WA, with a hybrid telework schedule and occasional travel. Within the first six months, the manager will evaluate the assessment database tool, recommend streamlining changes, collaborate with the tool's author (AAIDD) and internal developers on updates, hire new team members, and establish progress updates with their supervisor.

Requirements

Substantial experience providing training and technical assistance.
Conducting the Supports Intensity Scale Assessment.
Proven ability to lead, supervise, and support a team distributed across multiple physical locations.
Experience evaluating complex data systems to formulate recommendations that result in positive program changes.
Ability to manage project timelines, handle urgent issues simultaneously, and communicate updates clearly to leadership.
Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity, collaborative teamwork, and respectful communication in a fast-paced environment.
Understanding programs, principles, regulations and statutes related to DDA and community-based long-term care services.
Willingness to travel occasionally across the state to support regional teams.
DSHS experience using the CARE tool.

Nice To Haves

Deep understanding of CARE tool's current capabilities.
Constantly looking for ways to optimize CARE tool's efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and evaluate a remote, statewide team of six regional specialists, ensuring they have the information and skills to provide technical assistance to field offices.
Oversee team training and certification processes to ensure all specialists maintain expert trainer standards for the Supports Intensity Scale Assessment.
Review quality assurance data, monitor data trends, and compile comprehensive reports to verify that assessment methods comply with state administrative codes and federal assurances.
Coordinate your team's participation in gathering business requirements and testing software updates to ensure system changes meet design specifications.
Create and update user manuals, training materials, policies, and administrative rules regarding the application of the assessment tool.
Provide expert consultation and clear correspondence regarding assessment matters to clients, families, providers, and external entities.
Manage user access settings within the security portal to protect department information according to established guidelines and policies.
Oversee and monitor vendor fulfillment for the assessment tool contract to ensure services are delivered and paid correctly.