DSHS ESA Central Services Chief
Apply NowCompany: State of Washington
Location: Olympia, WA 98501
Description:
Salary: $119,100.00 - $128,652.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-02559
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 04/17/2025
Closing Date: 4/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
DSHS ESA DCS Central Services Chief
Do you want an opportunity to use your innovation and creativity to move your entire division forward? Do you pride yourself on your team development skills? Do you see yourself as the person who ensures everything runs smoothly?
As the Child Support Program for Washington state, is responsible for administering state and federal child support laws to provide child support services that promote the well-being of children and families.
This position serves as the Chief of Central Services located in headquarters in Olympia and reports to the DCS Director. The Chief serves as a member of the DCS management and the executive leadership teams, which make division-wide decisions and develops strategic initiatives to strengthen the child support program, both locally and across the nation. Central Services is the largest unit within DCS headquarters, employing 112 team members.
You'll be a key executive management member as you provide input and direction to our internal and external partners, fostering an environment of process improvement and operational excellence. Using both your organizational and managerial skills, you and your team will be a key element in managing workflow and ensuring federal processing timelines are met.
Some of What You Will Do
As Chief, you use your knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies to ensure fair and transparent management for employees. You lead and guide employees by setting priorities, creating strategies, and forming partnerships to help the organization achieve its goals, especially in child support services. You enhance employee effectiveness with timely feedback and professional development and build a strong management structure for training and supervision. You are dedicated to advancing equity within the organization. You also maintain good relationships with labor and oversee investigations. You ensure customers and the community are treated with respect and professionalism.
You'll oversee several key programs in DCS, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. Responsibilities include processing over $600 million annually in child support payments within strict timelines and managing electronic payment systems and contracts. You'll ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for accounting, accuracy, and timeliness, maintaining various funds, and overseeing banking contracts. You will also be involved in managing high volumes of child support applications, mail documents, and employer-reported new hire data to support enforcement of support orders. Additionally, you will oversee the processing of more than $1 billion in payments and ensure proper imaging of correspondence, maintaining quality and confidentiality standards.
In this role, you'll oversee central services--managing hiring, staff, and budget resources to ensure efficient services and secure funding. You will be involved in working closely with financial managers and fiscal officers across agencies and fostering effective communication within the organization and with other states and countries. You'll uphold high ethical standards and support equity while participating in both the leadership and management teams to make decisions and develop strategies for strengthening the child support program. Additionally, you will utilize technology to improve operations, collaborating with IT teams to identify and implement strategic solutions. You're great at anticipating future needs, staying updated on technological advancements, and planning systems that meet state and federal requirements, ensuring maximum efficiency and compliance.
A flexible/hybrid schedule will be considered.
Who We Want In This Role
Knowledge -
To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, please fill out our online application and attach:
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 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.
Questions? If you have questions about this opportunity, please feel free to contact and reference job 02559.
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 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
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2025-02559
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 04/17/2025
Closing Date: 4/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
DSHS ESA DCS Central Services Chief
Do you want an opportunity to use your innovation and creativity to move your entire division forward? Do you pride yourself on your team development skills? Do you see yourself as the person who ensures everything runs smoothly?
As the Child Support Program for Washington state, is responsible for administering state and federal child support laws to provide child support services that promote the well-being of children and families.
This position serves as the Chief of Central Services located in headquarters in Olympia and reports to the DCS Director. The Chief serves as a member of the DCS management and the executive leadership teams, which make division-wide decisions and develops strategic initiatives to strengthen the child support program, both locally and across the nation. Central Services is the largest unit within DCS headquarters, employing 112 team members.
You'll be a key executive management member as you provide input and direction to our internal and external partners, fostering an environment of process improvement and operational excellence. Using both your organizational and managerial skills, you and your team will be a key element in managing workflow and ensuring federal processing timelines are met.
Some of What You Will Do
As Chief, you use your knowledge of laws, regulations, and policies to ensure fair and transparent management for employees. You lead and guide employees by setting priorities, creating strategies, and forming partnerships to help the organization achieve its goals, especially in child support services. You enhance employee effectiveness with timely feedback and professional development and build a strong management structure for training and supervision. You are dedicated to advancing equity within the organization. You also maintain good relationships with labor and oversee investigations. You ensure customers and the community are treated with respect and professionalism.
You'll oversee several key programs in DCS, ensuring smooth and efficient operations. Responsibilities include processing over $600 million annually in child support payments within strict timelines and managing electronic payment systems and contracts. You'll ensure compliance with state and federal requirements for accounting, accuracy, and timeliness, maintaining various funds, and overseeing banking contracts. You will also be involved in managing high volumes of child support applications, mail documents, and employer-reported new hire data to support enforcement of support orders. Additionally, you will oversee the processing of more than $1 billion in payments and ensure proper imaging of correspondence, maintaining quality and confidentiality standards.
In this role, you'll oversee central services--managing hiring, staff, and budget resources to ensure efficient services and secure funding. You will be involved in working closely with financial managers and fiscal officers across agencies and fostering effective communication within the organization and with other states and countries. You'll uphold high ethical standards and support equity while participating in both the leadership and management teams to make decisions and develop strategies for strengthening the child support program. Additionally, you will utilize technology to improve operations, collaborating with IT teams to identify and implement strategic solutions. You're great at anticipating future needs, staying updated on technological advancements, and planning systems that meet state and federal requirements, ensuring maximum efficiency and compliance.
A flexible/hybrid schedule will be considered.
Who We Want In This Role
Knowledge -
- The ideal leader will have a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, social services or related field AND 5 years of management experience.
- Experience in the field of child support may be substituted for education.
- Interested applicants will have experience working in banking, accounting, electronic payment applications or a cross-functional work environment with over 100 staff.
- Demonstrated skills in planning and managing complex initiatives
- Team-oriented, strategic driven and have the ability to motivate staff
- Impeccable communications skills with a multigenerational staff
- Demonstrated experience working with federal and local governments, tribes and tribal organizations, and community-based agencies
- Demonstrated experience managing budgets and staffing
- Deliver tangible results with maintaining the highest of ethics
- Open minded to new ideas and innovations
- Strong customer focus
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage with integrity, respect and professionalism
- Patient while being proactive and having a sense of urgency
To Apply:
If you are interested in this position, please fill out our online application and attach:
- Your chronological resume.
- A letter of interest, no longer than one page describing how your experience and education qualifies you for this position.
- Three professional references with current contact information.
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 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.
Questions? If you have questions about this opportunity, please feel free to contact and reference job 02559.
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 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
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022