DSHS DDA CARE Specialists Unit Manager

In this role, you will supervise and guide a statewide group of six CARE Specialists who are based in local offices to support field operations. These specialists do not provide IT support or direct client care; instead, they serve as regional experts in the administration of the assessment tool information system. You will report directly to the Director of Headquarters Operations, collaborating closely with central office staff, regional administrators, field personnel, clients, and families to maintain standard practices.

The Developmental Disabilities Administration manages programs that assist adults and children with developmental disabilities across Washington State. Within our headquarters operation, you will guide the provincial management of the database tool used by 600 case managers to determine client eligibility, document necessary supports, and allocate resources.

Your leadership will focus on data accuracy and system consistency to satisfy federal reporting agreements with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which secures essential program funding. You will oversee the daily application of the Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evolution (CARE) software, a case management information system, and the associated security access and consistency tracking databases. By ensuring field staff possess the training and resources they need, your small team helps create reliable support plans for people throughout the state.

We are looking for someone with DSHS experience using the CARE tool. You should deeply understand its current capabilities, while constantly looking for ways to optimize its efficiency and effectiveness. As the CARE Specialists Unit Manager, your official duty station will be Lacey, WA. This role offers a hybrid telework schedule, with occasional travel required to the Lacey office and other locations across Washington State.

Within your first six months, you will evaluate the assessment database tool and recommend changes to streamline the process, making it more user-friendly for staff and families. You will collaborate with the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities who is the author of the tool and internal developers to suggest software and process updates based on end-user feedback. Additionally, you will fill current vacancies by hiring new team members, establishing a regular schedule of progress updates with your supervisor to track process improvements, and identify needed support.

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate a remote, statewide team of six regional specialists, ensuring they have the information and skills to provide technical assistance to field offices.
• Oversee team training and certification processes to ensure all specialists maintain expert trainer standards for the Supports Intensity Scale Assessment.
• Review quality assurance data, monitor data trends, and compile comprehensive reports to verify that assessment methods comply with state administrative codes and federal assurances.
• Coordinate your team's participation in gathering business requirements and testing software updates to ensure system changes meet design specifications.
• Create and update user manuals, training materials, policies, and administrative rules regarding the application of the assessment tool.
• Provide expert consultation and clear correspondence regarding assessment matters to clients, families, providers, and external entities.
• Manage user access settings within the security portal to protect department information according to established guidelines and policies.
• Oversee and monitor vendor fulfillment for the assessment tool contract to…