Quality Assurance & Systems Strategist (MA5) - Olympia

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Family First team is looking for a Quality Assurance and Systems Strategist who thrives on strengthening families and bringing big-picture policy and legislative vision to life for communities across Washington State. This position leads and coordinates quality assurance (QA) and continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts that support Washington’s Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) prevention plan. The role involves applying qualitative and quantitative CQI methods, equity-driven improvement strategies, and deep knowledge of child welfare statutes, WACs, and DCYF policies to strengthen statewide implementation of prevention services. The strategist will review data, identify practice trends, present key findings to leadership, and help shape training, policy, and field implementation related to FFPSA eligibility, prevention planning, and evidence-based practices. Collaboration is central to this role, working closely with regional leadership, field staff, tribal partners, service providers, courts, and the Child Welfare Leadership Team to address barriers, elevate strengths, and ensure fidelity to FFPSA requirements. This position also supports DCYF’s long-term system development efforts, including CCWIS integration and federal reporting needs, helping safeguard Title IV-E prevention revenue through strong QA/CQI processes, compliance monitoring, case reviews, and change management activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field AND five (5) years of demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas: Conducting research, Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations, Conducting business analysis and developing requirements, Leading business projects, Managing business operations, Business policy development, Supervising OR Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling nine (9) years in the above noted areas.
The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
Previous experience implementing Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement strategies within service delivery.
Previous experience with strong verbal and written skills using a partnership approach, listening skills and multi-faceted communication strategies.
Previous demonstrated computer proficiency in Word, Excel, and Power Point.
Track record of taking initiative, follow-through, maintaining flexibility and a willingness to learn and promote racial equity.
Previous demonstrated experience with work independently and managing programs or projects.
Exhibits a relentless commitment to anti-racism and addressing diversity, disproportionality and inequity in child and family-serving systems.
Experience with DCYF child welfare programs and policies.
Experience collaborating with community partners, local governments, providers, and executive leaders.
A demonstrated willingness to be innovative, persistent, and client centered.
In-depth knowledge of program areas managed including: Culturally responsive services & programming, The tools and supports needed to effectively address equity driven outcomes, Program and contract performance evaluation methods, quality assurance, data interpretation, including monitoring and tracking budgets and expenditures.
Quality assurance and program evaluation methodologies.
Demonstrated knowledge and skills in accessing all information in the data management system.
Previous experience with state and federal statutes and WACs related to FFPSA, child protection, confidentiality, and child welfare.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, use and implementation of culturally grounded QA and CQI tools.
Collaborate with Tribal Nations and culturally proximate community-based organizations to ensure QA and CQI practices reflect community values and service intent.
Ensure data collection processes are respectful and align with tribal data sovereignty.
Collect and analyze QA and CQI data aligned with the goals of the Family First implementation efforts as well as aligned with performance-based contracting (PBC) quality and outcome indicators.
Establish a CQI frameworks that incorporates both quantitative (e.g. referral and completion rates, family outcomes, timeliness of services etc.) and qualitative (e.g. interviews, staff/provider reflections, storytelling etc.) data.
Design and implement feedback loops to ensure data is shared back with community-based organizations, service providers and community partners in a transparent and meaningful way with the purpose of supporting program improvement.
Collaborate with program leads to facilitate regular CQI cycles with community-based pathway serving organizations, service providers and others to review data, celebrate successes, identify barriers, and come together to create solutions for improvement and ongoing support.
Assist in developing strategies for scaling and sustaining effective culturally responsive services, ensuring lessons learned from pilot projects are integrated into broader system improvements.
Utilize QA/CQI activities and data collection to support child welfare and community-based pathway implementation efforts.
Provide support and ongoing technical assistance to community-based organizations and service providers, with a focus on culturally grounded QA/CQI expectations.
Provide subject matter expertise, guidance and leadership for the successful implementation of FFPSA program requirements with DCYF staff across Agency and through community-based pathway organizations, providers and Tribal nations.
Conduct complex analysis and engages internal and external stakeholders to develop and advise policies and strategies related to statewide practice.
Developing, planning and conducting assessments, case and program reviews.
Tracks and analyzes performance data and analysis for compliance and program outcomes.