DSHS HCLA Office Chief of Rates Management

DSHS Office Chief of Rates Management

We’re seeking the next strong voice for the Office of Rates Management and an advocate for best practices and new ideas for Medicaid rates and reimbursement within the Home & Community Living Administration (HCLA). As the new Office Chief, you will be the face of the Rates Office with HCLA and DSHS executive leadership, the Office of Financial Management, Legislative Staff, collective bargaining, and various external partners.

In your first six months, you will utilize strategic leadership skills to implement a second-year supplemental budget, support Agency Requests for the next biennial budget, support the Governor’s budget build, understand and support the Adult Family Home Council collective bargaining process, understand and support the Rate Setting Board, and ensure July 1, 2026 rates are implemented. You will work with Management Services Division (MSD) leadership to plan and coordinate hiring and organizing the Rates Office aligned with MSD goals and priorities.

In the subsequent six months, the new Office Chief should have a good understanding of the various key dates associated with work done within the office to ensure cost reports are successfully reviewed, rates are modeled correctly, rates are uploaded correctly, and a better understanding of the data needs of HCLA. You will be able to articulate recommendations for changes to methodologies and processes regarding Medicaid rates and reimbursement.

The Office Chief plays a critical leadership role with high visibility with internal and external stakeholders. If you want to have a significant impact on the HCLA services to vulnerable people, you will thrive on working in this collaborative environment.

This position offers flexible hybrid remote work: 2 days per week onsite at the Lacey office and 3 days per week remote.

• Coordinate and plan the work for the Office of Rates, ensuring that the various units in the Office are aware of the various priorities and are working together to achieve those priorities
• Strategic planning around improving the processes and communications regarding Medicaid rates and the impacts they have on providers and clients
• Ensure clear communication with partners and stakeholder groups internal and external to HCLA regarding the services provided, work groups, and projects
• Act as the liaison for the Rates Office HCLA leadership, Legislative staffers, the Office of Financial Management, and provider groups.

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, social services, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in a major social services division or agency, including at least two years of experience supervising professional budget, fiscal management, or data analysis staff in a government setting.
• Additional years of paid, professional-level experience in a large and complex organization may be substituted, year for year, for the education requirement.

• Knowledge of the Medicaid program and rate setting principles.
• Knowledge of state and federal regulations and principles of financial management, and state and federal policy concerning budgetary constraints, fiscal accountability, and multiple program interaction in the health and human services field.
• Experience and demonstrated success in supervising and supporting teams.
• Experience working with a political environment and history of working collaboratively with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including state and local elected officials, other state agencies, local governments, tribal leaders, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups.
• Experience in developing cost estimates for proposed programs and cost estimates related to proposed changes in federal and state laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of and experience with the state legislative process.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively within all levels of an organization.
• A strong commitment to diversity in the workforce.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage with integrity, respect, and professionalism.
• Ability…