Assistant Secretary Developmental Disabilities Administration

Assistant Secretary of the Developmental Disabilities Administration

Organization

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is seeking applications for the Assistant Secretary of the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA).

The Assistant Secretary will help guide DDA through its next phase of growth, which has an increased focus on making services easier to access, supporting safe and successful transitions between settings, strengthening service availability, and ensuring individuals have a greater voice and choice in planning their services. This role will oversee one of Washington’s largest human-services administrations, with a workforce of more than 4,000 employees, through this period of change.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead DDA through the next phase, building alignment among employees and partners around the direction ahead.
• Build on DDA’s strong culture of community engagement while ensuring feedback and commitments lead to meaningful action.
• Strengthen accountability, coordination, and follow-through across the administration.
• Establish clear priorities and create alignment among teams, programs, and partners.
• Lead with sound judgment and steadiness in an environment where services and operational responsibilities continue around the clock.
• Strengthen relationships with legislators and build more intentional connections with federal partners, communications leaders, and others who can help advance and communicate DDA’s work.
• Communicate proactively about emerging issues, priorities, challenges, and opportunities.

Qualifications include:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, business administration, public administration, health care administration, finance, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Executive-level experience leading directors, managers, and other senior leaders across complex programs and operations is preferred.
• Experience leading programs, systems, or organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families is preferred.