DSHS HCLA - WA Cares Fund Assessment Specialist

DSHS HCLA - WA Cares Fund Assessment & Community Support Specialist

Are you passionate about empowering individuals to live independently and thrive in their communities? Join our mission-driven team and make a meaningful impact through the WA Cares Fund program.

Come join the WA Cares Fund within the Home Community Living Administration (HCLA) team to help develop the first-in-the-nation social insurance program and be part of the latest example of why Washington State is a national leader in long-term care policy insurance coverage for all working Washingtonians. WA CARE is responsible for designing and implementing the program and helping Washingtonians understand this new benefit.

As a WA Cares Fund Assessor Specialist, you’ll meet people both in-person and remote long-term care functional assessments under the WA Cares Fund program. Whether it’s in their home, a hospital room, a nursing facility, or a residential care setting, you’ll conduct thoughtful, compassionate assessments to help determine their eligibility for self-directed long-term care services. You’ll craft personalized care plans that reflect everyone’s unique needs and goals, helping them stay in or return to their community with the support they need to thrive.

WA Care Fund: on YouTube

Somewhat you'll do:

• Conduct and complete in-person and remote functional assessments at the homes of Qualified Individuals.
• Interpret detailed assessments and personal information to approve or deny WA Cares Fund services.
• Develop and implement personalized service plans that guide long-term care support.
• Educate individuals and families about long-term care options, rates, and program benefits.
• Advice on provider enrollment, search and rate setting best practices.
• Instruct professionals and the public about available services and program limitations.
• Prepare and counsel families on qualified caregiver requirements and payment options.
• Refer individuals to alternative community resources when WA Cares Fund is not pursued.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry into WA Cares Fund systems.
• Explain department policies and legal provisions to families and community members.
• Assess daily living assistance needs to determine long-term care eligibility.
• Help individuals remain in or return to their communities, instead of entering nursing homes or other institutional care settings.
• Make referrals to Adult Protective Services and investigations when necessary.
• Provide legal resources, brochures, and informational materials as appropriate.
• Maintain organized documentation and respond to administrative requests.
• Adapt and re-prioritize tasks in response to emergencies or coverage needs.

What We’re Looking For:

• Compassionate professionals with strong interpersonal and analytical skills.
• Experience in long-term care, social work, or public health is highly valued.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams and communities.

Why Join us:

This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of long-term care in Washington State, helping individuals access the support they need while preserving their independence and dignity. If you’re ready to bring empathy, clinical insight, and a deep commitment to community care, we’d love to have you on the team.

Who should apply:

• Social Service Specialist 1: A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within eighteen months of their appointment.

OR

• Social Service Specialist 2: Twelve months as a Social Service Specialist 1 AND completion of the agency’s Social Service Specialist training program.

OR

• A master’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, and one year as a Social Service Specialist 1 or equivalent paid social service experience.

OR

• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field, AND two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

OR

• A combination of professional/practical hands-on experience of six years of professional / practical experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 1.

Have questions? Please reach out to Peter Bonato by email at peter.bonato@dshs.wa.gov or phone (360) 725-5810 and reference 06002.

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.

Salary

• $5,398 - $7,254/month

Other 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

Benefits

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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) 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
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 07-21-2025