INTERNAL ONLY Child Welfare Dependency Administrator (WMS2) - Olympia

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a Child Welfare Dependency Administrator (WMS2) for a newly established position within the Child Welfare Headquarters Division in Olympia, WA. This flexible/hybrid position manages a statewide team of professional staff, including Legal Liaisons and a Dependency Discovery Manager. The role is responsible for setting statewide strategy, identifying, developing, planning, deciding, and implementing DCYF policies and business initiatives related to the child welfare dependency court system. This position requires collaboration with internal divisions and external partners such as Attorneys General, Office of Public Defense, and tribes to create a cohesive strategy within dependency work. The Administrator will interpret policies, provide technical support, and expert consultation to the field, and ensure continuous quality improvement within the dependency court process.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public administration, public affairs, social science, social work, or a closely allied field from an accredited institution of higher learning AND Five years of progressively responsible, paid, professional experience in the delivery of child welfare services including demonstrated expertise in facilitating dependency actions, including a strong background in court testimony, drafting/reviewing dependency petitions as well as a thorough understanding of dependency discovery authorizing environment. Experience must include thorough understanding of current dependency framework under the Keeping Families Together Act.
OR Nine years of progressively responsible, paid, professional experience in the delivery of child welfare services including demonstrated expertise in facilitating dependency actions, including a strong background in court testimony, drafting/reviewing dependency petitions as well as a thorough understanding of dependency discovery authorizing environment. Experience must include thorough understanding of current dependency framework under the Keeping Families Together Act.
Demonstrated ability to supervise professional subordinates and direct their work, including a strong background in performance management.
Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills in professional settings, including writing comprehensive reports, developing and delivering trainings and preparing original documents where there is no precedent or disputed precedent.
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.
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience in leading professional direct service teams in delivery of public child welfare.
Demonstrated experience interpreting and drafting rules, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated experience implementing ICWA and WICWA in direct service work as well as capturing this work in court documents.
Demonstrated experience in dispute resolution/mediation.
Demonstrated experience in risk management, including risk mitigation strategy development and implementation.
Demonstrated experience with privacy and information management within a government agency.
Demonstrated experience with project management.

Responsibilities

Manage and lead a team of seven professional WMS staff, including six Legal Liaisons and one Dependency Discovery Manager.
Set statewide strategy in consultation with the Child Welfare (CW) leadership team for dependency work.
Identify, develop, plan, decide, and implement DCYF policies and business initiatives related to the CW dependency court system.
Work collaboratively with system partners, such as AAG’s, OPD, and tribes, toward a more cohesive strategy within dependency work.
Supervise the efforts of the six Legal Liaisons, ensuring they meet the full objectives of their roles.
Supervise the statewide Dependency Discovery Manager, guiding dependency discovery staff through the development of standard operating procedures and guiding documents.
Ensure that dependency discovery work meets statutory and constitutional requirements of due process.
Partner with other DCYF divisions such as ASD and IT, external court partners, and AGO.
Make decisions and contribute to field support, AGO coordination, and policy/procedure revisions in partnership with PPS and Child Welfare HQ.
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.
Provide coverage to subordinate staff and ensure technical support and expert consultation are offered to the field on the programs within the portfolio.
Maintain and strengthen dependency community of practice within CWD, working collaboratively with regional leaders, tribal partners, and DCYF leadership.
Maintain and strengthen dependency community of practice with OPD, court officers, other DCYF divisions, as well as relevant stakeholder groups.
Identify common themes within CWD regarding dependency action practice needs and create/manage repository of templates and resource guides.
Partner with the Litigation Unit to increase in-house capacity for tort-related testimony and for DCYF representation at trials.
Collaborate with AGO to ensure DCYF’s adherence to laws regarding dependency discovery, including the PRA.
Direct the work of subordinates to ensure the highest level of customer service, with special attention to worker competency development through training, coaching, and consultation.
Ensure continuity of dependency discovery practice and align the strategy to streamline and create cohesion within this portfolio.
Provide timely and ongoing consultation to the Assistant and Deputy Assistant Secretaries as well as regional leaders on the programs, policies, and procedures within the portfolio.
Provide report-out to DCYF senior and executive leaders on the portfolio, including development and implementation of relevant strategies geared toward continuous quality improvement within the dependency court work.
Engage in ongoing performance management of direct staff and take accountability for their work.
Supervise the work product of staff who are responsible for consulting and advising with child welfare staff and the AGO.
Manage and adhere to the budget related to subordinate FTEs.