DSHS HCLA Continuous Improvement Specialist

WA Care Fund – Management Analyst 4 – Continuous Improvement Specialist

Location:

Lacey, WA

Make a meaningful impact in long-term care policy by embracing this thrilling opportunity. The WA Cares Fund (WCF) is the first of its kind in the United States, showcasing why Washington State leads the nation in long-term care initiatives. Created by the WA State Legislature, the WCF offers affordable long-term care insurance coverage to all working Washingtonians. This is a rare opportunity to become one of the founding team members as we introduce the nation’s first long‑term services and supports social insurance program.

DSHS’s Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA) WCF is hiring key team members now to assist as we move toward the full implementation of the program. The innovative work that you do now will aid qualified people and their authorized representatives to apply for and access their earned benefits that help pay for daily‑living activities. Your experience, knowledge, and skills make a difference.

• Lead and manage small‑to‑medium‑scale projects using Lean, process improvement, project management, organizational change management, Human Centered Design principles (designing systems, leadership practices, and culture around how staff experience WCF and influence continuous improvement).
• Analyze programs, business operations, and processes to identify root causes, assess gaps, track outcomes, and recommend data‑driven solutions that support strategic goals and may have statewide impact.
• Collect, assemble, and interpret data from internal and external sources to inform decision‑making, resource allocation, and short‑and‑long‑term business process improvements.
• Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration with program managers, subject matter experts, agency partners, and leadership to address concerns, drive initiatives, and strengthen product and program outcomes.
• Develop and monitor project plans, action steps, and deliverables, including agendas, work breakdown structures, progress tracking, and executive‑level recommendations.
• Support WCF Organizational Development strategy specific to programs and initiatives that improve how the organization functions, learns and improves.

• Experience collaborating within large, complex cross‑agency programs involving diverse internal and external partners, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills with the ability to independently research, interpret, and synthesize complex information to develop sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving abilities, including identifying root causes, resolving organizational or operational issues, and developing effective risk mitigation strategies.
• Ability to communicate complex business concepts clearly and effectively to varied audiences, tailoring messaging to different levels of understanding.
• Proven relationship‑building and collaboration skills across all organizational levels, including staff, peers, steering committees, and executive management.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, analyze data, develop reports, and consistently meet critical deadlines while aligning work with the Department’s strategic goals.

We are seeking professionals who meet one of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Public Health, Health Administration, or a related field AND four (4) years of demonstrated professional experience
  * in at least two of the areas listed below. OR
• Nine (9) years of professional experience
  * in at least two of the areas listed below.

* Qualifying experience must demonstrate well‑developed working knowledge and practical application in two or more of the following:

• Conducting root cause analysis and applying Lean problem‑solving methodologies to improve business processes.
• Managing projects and applying project management principles effectively.
• Applying Human‑Centered Design principles to engage clients, external partners, and staff…