Washington State ESD
DSHS HCLA WA Cares Fund Contracts Manager
Washington State ESD, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
Make a meaningful impact on long‑term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long‑term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WA Cares Fund (WCF) offers affordable long‑term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to join our Management Services Division (MSD) to help coordinate critical contracting work for the nation’s first long‑term services and supports social insurance program.
DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. Beginning in 2026, the innovative work that you do now will aid qualified people and their authorized representatives to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for daily‑living activities. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference.
As the WA Cares Fund Contract Manager, you will report to the HCLA Contract Administrator, within MSD and can oversee essential provider contracts, ensure compliance, and contribute to equitable and impactful care solutions statewide. You will use your creativity, collaborative mindset, and legal expertise in contract writing to influence policies, implement monitoring processes, and elevate program integrity.
This role has statewide scope and will utilize a hybrid telework schedule within the state of WA. Occasional travel may be needed to monitor contracts or travel to the headquarters office in Lacey, WA based on business needs.
Some of what you will do
Contract Oversight & Compliance: Provide expert consultation on complex federal and state contracting procedures, ensuring all WA Cares Fund (WCF) contracts comply with laws, regulations, and policies. Policy Development: Collaborate with the Contracts Administrator to develop, implement, and improve statewide contracting policies, procedures, and reporting processes. Contract Creation & Management: Draft, negotiate, and manage complex contracts—including IT, Data Share, and custom agreements—supporting organizational goals and WCF field office operations. Monitoring & Quality Assurance: Oversee contract tracking through the DSHS Agency Contract Database, ensure accurate documentation, conduct monthly reviews, and enforce compliance with Central Contracts and Legal Services (CCLS) requirements. Risk & Procurement Support: Provide training and guidance on program risk assessments, contractor monitoring plans, competitive procurements, and contract terminations. Team Leadership: Supervise and support permanent and temporary WCF Contract Specialists through training, performance feedback, workflow management, and team collaboration. Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external partners, presenting project outcomes and resolving contracting issues in coordination with leadership. In your first six months, you will finalize the monitoring process with program leaders, refine the program integrity framework, and gain an in-depth understanding of existing provider contracts in preparation for writing specialty contracts. Your work will lay the foundation for achieving consistent quality and ensuring equity in care delivery. Who should apply
Bachelor’s degree in business, business law, public administration, or other related fields and 5 years of professional experience in client service contracting, management or program management and two years of experience in supervision of professional staff. Or professional experience may substitute year for year for education. Knowledge of DSHS client and person services contracting process. Ability to understand complex issues quickly and to translate these issues to general level of understanding within a diverse group. The ability to manage, motivate and direct a diverse work group. Ability to review processes and determine where improvements could be made. Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities
Knowledge of long‑term care providers and services within Washington State. Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal contracting policies, regulations, and procedures. Ability to interpret policies, procedures, contract reports, legislation, and other rules and regulations. Ability to review and edit contract documents to ensure legal sufficiency, clear writing principles, and performance measures. Understanding of HCLA services and interaction between services and programs. Understanding of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) operations and DSHS contracting systems. Experience applying an equity lens to decision‑making and problem‑solving. A collaborative and proactive approach to navigating diverse perspectives and driving positive outcomes. This job is classified as a WMS2. DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. Interested?
Please list 3 professional references’ contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role. Questions?
Please email Reema at reema.goyal@dshs.wa.gov or call 360-791-4168 and reference #07271. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov. The Department of Social and Health Services’ vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti‑racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security. #WeAreHiring #InclusionWorks Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Contract Oversight & Compliance: Provide expert consultation on complex federal and state contracting procedures, ensuring all WA Cares Fund (WCF) contracts comply with laws, regulations, and policies. Policy Development: Collaborate with the Contracts Administrator to develop, implement, and improve statewide contracting policies, procedures, and reporting processes. Contract Creation & Management: Draft, negotiate, and manage complex contracts—including IT, Data Share, and custom agreements—supporting organizational goals and WCF field office operations. Monitoring & Quality Assurance: Oversee contract tracking through the DSHS Agency Contract Database, ensure accurate documentation, conduct monthly reviews, and enforce compliance with Central Contracts and Legal Services (CCLS) requirements. Risk & Procurement Support: Provide training and guidance on program risk assessments, contractor monitoring plans, competitive procurements, and contract terminations. Team Leadership: Supervise and support permanent and temporary WCF Contract Specialists through training, performance feedback, workflow management, and team collaboration. Stakeholder Collaboration: Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external partners, presenting project outcomes and resolving contracting issues in coordination with leadership. In your first six months, you will finalize the monitoring process with program leaders, refine the program integrity framework, and gain an in-depth understanding of existing provider contracts in preparation for writing specialty contracts. Your work will lay the foundation for achieving consistent quality and ensuring equity in care delivery. Who should apply
Bachelor’s degree in business, business law, public administration, or other related fields and 5 years of professional experience in client service contracting, management or program management and two years of experience in supervision of professional staff. Or professional experience may substitute year for year for education. Knowledge of DSHS client and person services contracting process. Ability to understand complex issues quickly and to translate these issues to general level of understanding within a diverse group. The ability to manage, motivate and direct a diverse work group. Ability to review processes and determine where improvements could be made. Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities
Knowledge of long‑term care providers and services within Washington State. Comprehensive knowledge of state and federal contracting policies, regulations, and procedures. Ability to interpret policies, procedures, contract reports, legislation, and other rules and regulations. Ability to review and edit contract documents to ensure legal sufficiency, clear writing principles, and performance measures. Understanding of HCLA services and interaction between services and programs. Understanding of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) operations and DSHS contracting systems. Experience applying an equity lens to decision‑making and problem‑solving. A collaborative and proactive approach to navigating diverse perspectives and driving positive outcomes. This job is classified as a WMS2. DSHS partners with people to access support, care, and resources. Interested?
Please list 3 professional references’ contact information on your application and include your current resume and a cover letter explaining how your knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify you for this role. Questions?
Please email Reema at reema.goyal@dshs.wa.gov or call 360-791-4168 and reference #07271. To learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov. The Department of Social and Health Services’ vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti‑racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security. #WeAreHiring #InclusionWorks Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle. Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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