Regional Permanency and Youth Services Area Administrator; WMS- Region

Our vision is to ensure that Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.

Regional Permanency and Youth Services Area Administrator (WMS2) – Region 4, Seattle, WA. Travel within the Region and State is required; occasional national travel may be required.

$87,024 – $108,780 annually (does not include the 2 % general wage increase effective July 1, 2026).

Responsible for the effective administration and implementation of all DCYF programs within Regional Permanency and Youth Services. Oversees units such as the Legally Free Unit, Extended Foster Care, Region 4 Roving Unit, Cross‑Systems Program Manager, Education Program Manager, Permanency Consultant, and Office Manager.

• Supervise professional social services staff to keep children safe, reduce out‑of‑home care, and strengthen families.
• Establish and enforce performance measures for casework management, ensuring compliance with law and policy.
• Develop goals, performance standards, procedures, and protocols; resolve problems and evaluate programs and staff.
• Implement processes and structures to manage workloads, complete quality assurance reviews, and use training plans effectively.
• Provide clinical guidance and consultation for complex screening decisions.
• Monitor progress on federal, state, and other child welfare outcomes, making necessary organizational or procedural changes.
• Manage units, budget, and program responsibilities within FTE allocation.
• Maintain relationships with law enforcement, medical providers, schools, contracted providers, child advocates, courts, attorneys, and other community entities in Region 4.
• Respond promptly to client, caregiver, and community concerns regarding child safety and case planning.
• Oversee personnel management, including supervision, recruiting, hiring, and training.
• Develop performance expectations, conduct performance evaluations, and create corrective action plans.
• Review and authorize client services and staff overtime expenses for assigned programs.

• Master’s degree in social work, health or social science, public administration, or a related field
  ** and
  * * three years of professional management or supervision experience in Social Services, Mental Health, or Education.
• – OR – Bachelor's degree in a related field
  ** and
  * * five years of management or supervision experience in Social Services, Mental Health, or Education.
• – OR – Nine years of professional management or supervision experience in Social Services, Mental Health, or Education.
• Demonstrated understanding of safety and risk assessment, family preservation, child‑focused practice, and family engagement, with at least two years of direct service experience to children and families in the public child welfare system.
• A complete understanding of state and federal laws and policies related to social and health programs, program assessment, public administration, personnel management, and vendor relationships.
• Interpersonal and public‑speaking skills, ability to manage organizational change, balance workloads with FTE constraints, and solve implementation obstacles.
• Leadership skills in project development and coordination without line authority over other administrators and supervisors.
• Proficiency in the agency case and information system, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and other electronic applications.

• Use of cultural competency to communicate effectively with clients of diverse backgrounds.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with law enforcement, courts, providers, vendors, community stakeholders, and statewide professionals.
• Experience evaluating, compiling, and organizing data for reports and policies.
• Direct and evaluate the work of others, applying child protection principles to complex family situations.
• Advanced supervisory and managerial skills.
• Understanding of state and federal law and agency policies concerning public child protective services, risk assessment, safety planning, and permanency.
• Budget analysis, allocation, and fiscal accountability experience.
• Experience with child welfare information computer systems.

Benefits eligibility may differ from that listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, refer to the Public Employee Benefits Board.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, veteran status, or disability.