DSHS ESA WorkFirst Program Supervisor

The Department of Social and Health Services, Community Services Division is seeking a supervisor for the WorkFirst Program at the Puyallup Community Service Office in Tacoma, WA. WorkFirst is Washington State’s “welfare to work” program that oversees the issuance of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits and assists TANF recipients with childcare expenses, job searching to include resume writing and interviewing skills, and providing training opportunities to increase professional skills. We offer an inclusive workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the Mission of Transforming Lives and valuing the journey of our staff members.

Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

As the Program Supervisor, you will have the responsibility to coordinate services with community partners, other state agencies, Local Area Planning networks, and other WorkFirst partners to maintain, develop and implement programs and activities that prepare customers for self-sufficiency. Come join us in our mission of Transforming Lives!

The individual appointed to this position will partner with Community Station Outreach and will require some telework at different sites we are partnered with.

Some of what you will do:

• Hire and train new and existing professional staff.
• Establish unit workloads and quality standards.
• Assign, prioritize, review, and audit work assignments to a unit of WorkFirst Program Specialists
• Conduct regular and productive unit and one-on-one meetings with staff.
• Assist staff in understanding their professional responsibility to carry out agency policy and comply with privacy and mandatory reporting regulations.
• Serve as a consultant regarding case planning and decision-making for a positive outcome for WorkFirst parents in their WorkFirst participation and self-sufficiency efforts.
• Manage local office support services budget.
• Problem resolution internally and externally
• Conduct assessments of vulnerable and disabled applicants, recipients, and/or children when necessary
• Assist customers with the process of applying for benefits.
• Develop and maintain working relationships and open communication with community partners.
• Analyze caseloads and make recommendations for activities and community strategies that will help clients achieve independence.
• Prepare written and oral reports, documentation, and communication regarding program areas supervised.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to adapt to each person's learning and communication style.
• Ability to create a positive work environment that supports collaboration, transparency, trust, and accountability.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with assigned subordinates, administration officials, management team, service staff, partner agencies, contract providers, and the public.
• Knowledge of management principles and operating methods
• Ability to exhibit tact, courtesy, and discretion in all work situations.
• Ability to multi-task with constant interruptions
• Knowledge of federal and state public assistance rules, regulations, and processes applied in Washington state.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and in writing with management, peers, direct staff, clients, and the public.
• Willing to have difficult conversations and ability to find mutual resolution and support.

• Professionals with one year of experience as a WorkFirst Program Specialist or Public Benefits Specialist 5

• Professionals with two years of experience as a Public Benefits Specialist 4

• Please complete an application and attach the following:
• A current resume
• Letter of interest, outlining how your qualifications match what we are looking for
• Three professional references with current contact information