WDVA Grant Program Manager, Full-Time, Permanent Project, Olympia

State of Washington
State of Washington

Operations

Thurston County, WA, USA

Posted on Jul 12, 2026

Description


Grant Project Manager
Staff Sergeant Parker Gordan Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program
Full Time, Permanent Project
Are you ready to really make a difference in people's lives? We are now accepting applications for a Grant Program Manager for our SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program Project. At WDVA, our program focuses on suicide prevention through non-clinical assessments and screenings, connecting service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) to early intervention services, benefits, and other support systems. The grant program will evaluate new and innovative approaches for veterans' benefit outreach and enrollment, suicide prevention and early intervention services and have a long-term statewide impact on WDVA programs and services.


Please note: Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Your location and time may be spent in other remote office locations, at military installations, government agencies, or other private partners. Flexibility to manage schedules to complete off-site, as well as evening and weekend work is required. This position is expected to adjust the work schedule to meet the needs of the program. A flexible schedule or hybrid telework schedule is subject to supervisory approval.
*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules. This salary range reflects increases effective July 1st, 2026

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.

As the Grant Program Manager (PM), you will serve as WDVA’s designated grant program leader and supervisor, with responsibility for:

  1. Grant program administration, including research and analysis, reporting, budgeting and accounting.

  2. Managing implementation of all initiatives within the grant’s scope.

The PM has independent organization-wide and statewide development and management responsibilities for all components of the grant program. In addition to grant program administration and management, this position is considered an expert on veteran benefit and suicide prevention services. It also provides consultation and advice to leaders in WDVA, other state, federal, and local agencies, elected officials, and private partners.

This position reports to the Counseling and Wellness Program Manager. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this grant project, the PM and staff work closely with all programs within Veterans Services and Counseling and Wellness (VSCW).

This position requires the ability to take action to learn and grow, meet the needs of others, and includes occasional statewide and out of state overnight travel.


Duties

Some of what you'll be doing includes:
  • Support outreach activities, provide education, resources, and referrals.
  • Assist SMVF with the enrollment in benefits and other support services.
  • Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of regionally based staff.
  • Arrange and ensure training within the standards of WDVA Suicide Prevention and veterans benefit enrollment programs.
  • Collaborate with WDVA Veteran Services Outreach and Suicide Prevention Programs, Regional VA offices, and other regional partners to develop and implement a community outreach strategic plan.
  • Collaborate with partners to develop and publish outreach and training materials as required.
  • Oversee benefit enrollment services in target regions within WDVA and VA standards.
  • Collaborate with regional stakeholders to develop a referral network and resources for services not available through WDVA.
  • Support the WDVA Suicide Prevention Program in developing and implementing non-clinical suicide assessment training and tools (e.g., Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale); this program utilizes screening tools during outreach and provides benefits enrollment case management services.
  • Research, analyze, and develop a framework for assessing the effectiveness of suicide early intervention and prevention strategies funded by a grant.
  • Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and monitor program performance metrics.
  • Work collaboratively with, advise, and make recommendations to senior leaders, executives, and staff across agency, state, federal, and local agencies and with allied national and community-based organizations.
  • Manage reporting and compliance with the federal funding agency in accordance with grant requirements.
  • Collect, compile, and analyze program performance data.
  • Collaborate with WDVA IT Division on modifications to and utilization of Enterprise Veterans Case Management System (EVCMS) to enter, track, compile, and track program data.
  • Develop and publish grant program performance reports in accordance with agency standards and federal funding authority requirements.
  • And much more!
*Please request a full copy of the Position Description!*

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Services, Social Work, Public Health, or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.
  • Please Note: A combination of education and experience may be considered on a year-for-year basis. Experience must be relevant to the position.
  • Two (2) years of experience providing services to vulnerable population.
  • One (1) year of supervisory experience.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Suite, including experience with data management systems and mobile application software.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, community members, partner organizations and customer groups.
  • Must be proficient in the English language.
Demonstrated experience in the following areas:
  • Conducting research
  • Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations
  • Conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  • Leading business projects
  • Managing business operations
  • Business policy development

    • Agency Required Competencies for all positions:
      • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
      • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Preferred/Desired:

  • Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Services, Social Work, Social Science, Healthcare, or Liberal Arts/Sciences from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.
  • Two (2) years of experience providing services to Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF’s); including understanding of and experience with Federal and State veteran benefits and health services.
  • Familiarity with peer-to-peer programming. Experience with Service Organizations providing services to Veteran’s and their families
  • Experience with State contracts, grants, State fiscal processes
  • Experience coordinating with Federal, State and community organizations on service programs
  • Demonstrated experience interacting with, and providing services to, clients who have experienced war trauma, substance abuse, homelessness and chronic mental health diagnosis.
  • Working knowledge of statewide governmental policies, laws and regulations for the State of Washington, as it applies to programmatic service delivery.
  • Demonstrated experience Project Management, including understanding of and experience with principles and methods of strategic planning, project design and implementation, and group facilitation.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  • Must be able to travel throughout the state to WDVA facilities.
  • Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. 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, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory, annual, in-service, and other required training.
  • Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
  • Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
  • Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
  • Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Supplemental Information

Check out this awesome video here to see what it is like to work for the WDVA!

Application Process:

Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:
 1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

  • This position is non-represented.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.

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