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DSHS DDS Deputy Director


Job Location:

Tumwater, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 122673 - 146784
Posted: 28 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 25 August 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy
The job posting is outdated and position may be filled

Job Summary

Description

DSHS DDS Deputy Director

The Department of Social Health Service (DSHS) Economic Services Administration Division of Disability Determination Services ( DDDS) is hiring a Deputy Director who will be responsible for management and integration of diverse business functions including budget and financial management IT services and support professional relations services facilities management disability hearings contracted medical consultation annual performance goal setting and monitoring and achieving annual performance goals within funding authority.

Were seeking an experienced leader focused on service to the public and constantly searching for better processes to improve the organization. The ideal applicant strives to build teams and effective collaboration with state agency and Social Security Administration partners to further the DDDS goal of providing accurate and timely disability determinations to ensure those who qualify have access to financial and medical resources.

3-5 days travel quarterly is required for this job as well as a hybrid work schedule between telework and in office work.


What This Role Is Responsible For:

  • Providing executive leadership and strategic oversight for all DDDS operations including budgeting financial management IT professional relations facilities disability hearings and contracted medical consultation
  • Supervising and developing leadership staff including managers responsible for key operational areas such as Disability
  • Hearings/Emergency Fiscal Services Medical Relations/Contracts Strategic Initiatives and IT Policy and Planning
  • Act as the chief financial officer for the division overseeing the development management and refinement of the divisions annual operating budget (approximately $50$60 million) and ensuring effective resource allocation for 300 FTEs
  • Leading cross-functional operational improvements and modernization initiatives to enhance efficiency consistency transparency and service delivery across all business functions
  • Strengthening internal controls audit readiness compliance monitoring and fiscal risk mitigation to ensure accountability and minimize audit risk
  • Driving organizational change management and operational readiness for major statewide and federal initiatives including strategic planning process improvement and system transformation
  • Overseeing the development and use of business intelligence dashboards reporting tools and performance metrics to support executive decision-making and continuous improvement
  • Recruiting onboarding training and evaluating managers; establishing performance criteria monitoring progress and ensuring ongoing staff development and compliance
  • Coordinating and communicating with state and federal partners including the Social Security Administration DSHS/ESA officials and other stakeholders on all aspects of business operations financial matters audits and reporting
  • Overseeing facilities planning contracting and cost-benefit analysis for initiatives and projects to ensure optimal use of public resources and alignment with division needs
  • Serving as the primary point of contact for all human resources and risk management matters including investigations training classification/compensation and compliance with state and federal policies
  • Leading and managing the tracking of ongoing projects and initiatives monitoring their cumulative impact on the division and ensuring projects are appropriately resourced and implemented within established timelines
  • Promoting a culture of trust inclusion and accountability fostering strong partnerships and supporting the divisions mission vision and values

What Success Looks Like:
  • Strong and sustainable internal control environment that minimizes audit risk and strengthens accountability
  • Successful operational modernization efforts that improve efficiency consistency transparency and service delivery
  • Effective implementation of operational and compliance strategies supporting DDDS and ESAs long-term goals
  • Accurate reliable and accessible financial and operational data that supports executive leadership decision-making
  • Successful navigation of large-scale organizational and system transformations with minimal disruption
  • Strong collaboration and alignment across divisions administrations and external partners
  • Executive-level results delivered with a strategic outlook and continuous improvement mindset
  • Positive impact on staff division and agency culture supporting DSHSs mission and values

Key Expectations of the Role:
  • Act as a strategic advisor to ESA and DDDS leadership on operational financial compliance and organizational risks
  • Lead through ambiguity and complexity in a fast-paced high-accountability government environment
  • Lead operational excellence continuous improvement and cultural transformation across the division
  • Build strong partnerships and influence across multiple programs administrations and external stakeholders
  • Lead high-impact initiatives involving operational redesign automation business intelligence and compliance improvements
  • Ensure DDDS remains compliant with federal regulations state laws and agency policies while supporting mission-critical services statewide

What Were Looking For:
  • Ability to conduct in-depth financial and statistical analysis to determine workloads and resource needs within a multi-unit organization
  • Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in complex situations across multiple subject matters
  • Previous experience working with the Social Security Administration or related programs at the state or federal level
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience with change management value stream mapping process improvement and LEAN principles and practices
  • Demonstrated proficiency in the key competencies listed above

Who should apply

Those with a bachelors degree in public administration business administration or closely related field

AND
Ten years of paid progressively responsible leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to effectively facilitate change lead and develop managers and build and maintain partnerships.

Completion of a graduate degree in public administration business administration or closely related field may be substituted for two years of leadership experience.

Relevant professional experience described above may substitute year for year for the required education.

Why This Role Matters:

This job is critical to DDDS and ESAs operational stability financial stewardship compliance posture and readiness for major statewide and federal changes. Decisions made in this role directly impact audit outcomes federal funding stability operational continuity system transformation success and the agencys ability to effectively deliver services to vulnerable individuals and families across Washington State.


The role is especially important as DDDS navigates significant operational transformation efforts evolving federal requirements and enterprise-wide modernization initiatives that require strong leadership coordination and risk management.


Questions Please contact and reference #04193

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) 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 agencys vision that you bring a fairness access and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians 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.

Supplemental Information

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 applicants 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 drivers 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 . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.



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Required Experience:

Director