INTERNAL ONLY Child Welfare Area Administrator (WMS2) - Puyallup

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington State’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community."

Attention: **INTERNAL ONLY: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.**

Job Title: Internal Only - Child Welfare Area Administrator (WMS2)
Location: Puyallup, WA. Region 5 -  Region Map.  Travel within the region and state is required. Occasional national travel may be required.
Closes: 09/16/2026
Salary: $99,418 - $124,272 Annually.

We are looking for a Child Welfare Area Administrator (WMS2) to lead and manage the Puyallup Field Office. Within the DCYF Child Welfare Division, the Child Welfare Area Administrator reports to the Deputy Regional Administrator and supervises child welfare division employees within Region 5.  If you have proven leadership skills and want to make a difference in the lives of children and families, apply today and join our supportive and amazing team in Puyallup. 

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

The Opportunity:
This position leads a team of child welfare employees in implementing a full range of child welfare programs within a designated geographic area. The result will be the effective deployment of child welfare employees in accordance with established standards to protect children and enable families to flourish. The Area Administrator will administer and oversee the delivery of regional child welfare programs and services, including but not limited to Child Protective Services (including CPS investigations and FAR), Family Voluntary Services (FVS), Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS), Indian Child Welfare Services (ICW), and Family Reconciliation Services (FRS). As a member of the DCYF extended management team, this position supports Child Welfare development, oversees case-carrying social service specialists, and implements policies, procedures, and protocols regarding child welfare practice.
 
 Some of what you'll do:

• Manage and mentor supervisors. 
• Manage workforce development. 
• Manage recruitment and hiring of employees in coordination with supervisors.
• Establish goals and objectives, develop performance standards, equip staff, develop expectations and procedures, resolve problems, and evaluate supervisors and staff in program areas.
• Develop training plans to ensure all staff have the skills and information necessary to make appropriate decisions for child safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Develop and monitor corrective action plans.
• Ensure compliance with agency, state, and federal standards and policies.
• Monitor regional and statewide performance measures; ensure office staff meet performance measures and casework practice as required by performance standards, law, policy, and other mandates.
• Identify, analyze, and communicate problems, concerns, and barriers. 
• Develop and monitor interventions; communicate with the Deputy Regional Administrator and make recommendations.
• Ensure timely completion of employee evaluations.
• Ensure work is distributed equitably and resources are adjusted to meet business and client needs.
• Respond to and manage critical incidents, ensuring client, provider, and staff safety.
• Report critical incidents through the Administrative Incident Reporting System (AIRS) and notify the chain of command in high-profile situations. 
• Provide guidance and consultation to staff on case management, legal services, and permanency decisions.
• Guide the office to fully integrate the agency’s efforts on racial equity, social justice, non-discrimination, and reduction in disproportionality in all areas of practice and conduct. 
• Guide the implementation of Indian Child Welfare practices per ICWA and WICWA expectations.
• Consult with and guide staff on resources and case management that are culturally appropriate, linguistically responsive, and ADA-compliant.
• Provide guidance and consultation on federal policy directives, guidelines, and laws, including Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC), Title IVB, Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) requirements, Title IV-E federal requirements, Multi-Ethnic Placement Act/Interethnic Adoption Provisions (MEPA/IEAP),
  Adam Walsh Act, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), Adoption Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARS), State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)/Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS), DS lawsuit settlement agreement, and other policies designed to improve the
  child welfare system.
• Manage and maintain quality relationships with tribes, law enforcement, medical providers, schools, contracted providers, child advocates, courts, attorneys, and other community entities. 
• Respond promptly to client, caregiver, Ombuds, constituent, stakeholder, and community concerns regarding child safety and case planning.

Required Qualifications: 

Nine (9) years of paid social service experience* AND 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline.

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Master’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Four (4) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs. 

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or Bachelor’s degree which includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in a Social Services discipline AND Five (5) years of paid social service experience* in planning, administering, developing, or delivery of public child welfare, social, health, or chemical dependency treatment programs.

OR

One (1) year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 5.

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

*Paid social service experience must include at least one (1) year assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services and One (1) year of experience must include the supervision of professional staff in social service delivery. 

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

•  Advanced supervisory and managerial skills. 
• Advanced knowledge of the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act and the WA state Indian Child Welfare Act. 
• Working understanding of state and federal law and agency policies and regulations concerning public child protective services, Indian Child Welfare services, risk assessment, safety planning, and permanency and well-being services as delivered in a public child welfare setting. 
• Budget analysis, allotments, and fiscal accountability applications. 
• Assessing and understanding complex casework options. 
• Use of business applications and Child Welfare information computer systems.
  

How do I apply?  

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following: 

• Resume

Supplemental Information: 
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.  If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. 

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. 

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will 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 position. 

Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within twelve months of initial appointment.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).  For more information: https://wfse.org/ 

Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB).  

If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter.   If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.          

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission).  If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the Social Security Number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.     

2026-07456