DSHS ESA Decision Support Manager

Posting number: 2026-05871

Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services

Division: ESA

Job classification: WMS BAND 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Community Services, Executive Management, Miscellaneous, Community Development, Research, Statistics/Mathematics, Community and Social Services, Program Management

What if your analysis could help shape decisions that improve services for Washingtonians?

Join the Division of Finance and Financial Resources (DFFR) as a Decision Support Manager, where you’ll transform complex legislative, regulatory, policy, and financial information into meaningful data, insights, and decision support solutions that guide leaders across The Economic Services Administration (ESA)within the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)

The Decision Support Manager serves as the strategic link between ESA’s business leaders and information technology professionals, transforming complex business needs into data-driven solutions that improve financial stewardship and organizational performance. In this role you will analyze legislation, regulations, policies, and business requirements to assess organizational impacts, identify opportunities and risks, and develop actionable recommendations that support executive, tactical, and operational decision making.

You will lead ESA's decision support and business intelligence efforts by ensuring financial and operational data is accurate, accessible, and meaningful. Through enterprise reporting, dashboards, data governance, and performance measures, you will empower leaders to effectively plan, monitor, forecast, and evaluate programs while strengthening accountability and reducing financial risk.

The official workstation for this position is in Olympia and offers flexible hybrid remote work. You can be based anywhere in Washington State. However, occasional travel may be required based on business needs. 

Some of what you’ll do:
 

• Gather input and feedback from division directors and other ESA managers who have budget and program management responsibilities
• Analyze, define and document prototypical business/program requirements for fiscal information
• Coordinate with Information Technology Solutions (ITS) data architects who integrate the requirements specifications into the data architecture.
• Document the meanings, origins, business rules and other context related to ESA’s financial data to create and maintain a framework for effective and efficient data analysis and reporting
• Research, draft, present, and implement policies, engage in strategic and operational planning, recommend strategy to DSHS management, and provide consultative services to enhance ESA’s capacity to plan, monitor, and report on its expenditures, control financial risks, develop business strategy, and improve financial outcomes
• Create financial tools, dashboards and reports that enable ESA’s program and business managers to visualize, interact with, analyze, and present financial data more easily and accurately for day-to-day decision-making, analysis, performance measurement, and strategic planning. 
• Develop and implement effective controls and change management procedures to ensure successful and timely project outcomes. (Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence Management)

The ideal applicant will bring expertise in legislative analysis, data analytics, business intelligence, and technology solutions to transform complex information into actionable insights for leadership and cross-functional teams. They will play a critical part in managing enterprise data, developing decision-support tools, ensuring data quality and governance, and communicating findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. They will demonstrate strong analytical capabilities, sound judgment, adaptability, and the ability to build collaborative relationships while managing evolving priorities and complex organizational challenges.

If this is your area of expertise and interest, come partner with us. We encourage you to apply!

Who should apply:

• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, information technology or a related field AND five years of experience in public administration, financial management (i.e., budget or accounting) and/or information technology development; or comparable combination of graduate education and experience. 
• Qualifying experience may substitute year for year for education.

Experience:

• Advanced knowledge of data warehousing, business intelligence, Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Agile development, SQL, Microsoft 365 proficiency and data governance.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative to identify, take corrective action, and make recommendations to management on issues pertaining to financial management, the development of data warehouses and data reporting systems, and public policy analysis. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences regarding complex data management systems, and financial management principles and practices
• Ability to plan and manage multiple and complex projects and initiatives
• Advanced level of competency Microsoft 365, Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, Power Query, dashboards) and SharePoint, document/data management, collaboration sites 
• Advanced knowledge of the government budget, accounting and/or legislative process.
• Advanced knowledge of the statewide Agency Financial Reporting System (AFRS) and Enterprise Reporting
• Advanced knowledge of Economic Services Administration programs and funding sources, especially federal grants

Preferred / desired education, experience and competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Agile development. 
• Advanced knowledge of Economic Services Administration programs and funding sources, especially federal grants. 

Completed applications will include

• A letter of interest (up to two pages) specifically addressing the knowledge, skills, and experience you have related to the job and duties.
• A current, chronological resume. 
• A minimum of three professional references with contact information.

If you have questions about the job posting number 05871, contact email at raoa@dshs.wa.gov.

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 fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, 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.

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here (Download PDF reader)(Download PDF reader). Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position. 
 

  
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