Salary: $100,934.00 - $126,168.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-02647
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: Administrative Services
Opening Date: 04/15/2026
Closing Date: 4/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
We accept applications from DCYF staff only.Current DCYF employees are encouraged to apply.
Our vision is to ensure that "All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".
Job Title: Juvenile Hearings Administrator (WMS2)
Location: Olympia, WA. Flexible/HybridCloses: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Salary: $100,934.00 - $126,168.00 Annually
The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is seeking an experienced and mission-driven leader to take responsibility for operations and management of the JR hearings program statewide. This position manages an efficient, effective JR Hearings Team and oversees Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearing Officers who conduct administrative hearings and issue decisions in accordance with applicable law, policy, and procedure. The position is responsible for oversight of transfer hearings and other JR hearing matters and ensures hearing operations are fair, consistent, timely, and compliant with relevant requirements.
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The Opportunity:
You will provide leadership, oversight, and direction for the Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearings program, including oversight of hearing operations, hearing officer performance, adjudicative consistency, and procedural fairness. You will be responsible for the development of hearing-related policies, procedures, and performance measures, and for ensuring hearings are conducted in compliance with applicable law, policy, and due process requirements. You will also be responsible for the growth and development of Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearing Officers, including hiring, retention, professional development, and succession planning. As the advanced level subject matter expert, you are accountable for management and oversight of the juvenile hearings program for DCYF.
Some of what you will do:
- Oversee the conduct of administrative hearings involving Juvenile Rehabilitation matters, including transfer hearings and other processes assigned to the program.
- Ensure hearings are conducted fairly, consistently and in accordance with applicable law, policy, and procedural requirements.
- Supervise hearing officers and review hearing practices, written decisions, and program operations for quality, consistency, and timelines.
- Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational standards for the Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearings Program.
- Serve as the senior subject matter expert on JR hearing processes, due process requirements, and adjudicative practice.
- Monitor compliance, identify operational risks, and implement process improvements within the hearings program.
- Investigate and respond to concerns or complaints related to hearing operations, process integrity, and service delivery.
- Manage the daily operations of the hearings team, including workload assignment, staffing, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
- Promote equal access, procedural fairness, and equitable treatment of all hearing participants.
- Coordinate with internal and external partners regarding hearing operations while maintaining the neutrality and integrity of the hearing function.
Required Qualifications: Ten years of experience with a combination of working in hearing-related work.
OR A Bachelor's Degree in law, social science, health, public administration, or related field, AND
- Six years of experience handling hearings, discovery, claims and lawsuits.
- Six years of experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering programs in business, public administration, and conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
- Six years progressively responsible supervision and directing the activities and performance of others.
- Years of experience can be gained concurrently.
OR Master's degree in business, public administration, law or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), or closely allied field, from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND
- Three years of experience handling hearings, discovery, claims and lawsuits.
- Three years of experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering programs in business, public administration, and conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
- Three years progressively responsible supervision and directing the activities and performance of others.
- Years of experience can be gained concurrently.
AND - The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Required Competencies:
- Model and Champion our Culture and Values: Demonstrate abilities to earn the trust, respect and confidence of colleagues, employees, partners, and customers through honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions.
- Cultivate a Shared Strategic Vision: Describe an inspiring, long-term vision with deep meaning for the organization or team. This includes a commitment towards eliminating racial disproportionalities and advancing racial equity.
- Develop People: Bring great people with the right skills and the right motivation into the organization and enable them to do their best work every day.
- Drive Results: Create and nurture a performance-based culture of continuous improvement. Is passionate about data informed decision-making, scientific problem solving, customer responsiveness and satisfaction, and maximizing resources across the organization.
- Foster Learning: Foster a climate that supports creativity, innovation and hypothesis testing. Support and invest in employee learning and development.
- Build Relationships: Build and maintain internal and external relationships that create positive customer satisfaction with the services offered by the Department.
- Communicate Effectively: Convey clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
- Embrace inclusivity and transparency in decision making. Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces building and sustaining relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, recognizing the value of culture, ethnic, gender and other individual differences, to enhance the attainment of department goals.
- Lead and Navigate Change: Navigate the organization through complex and changing environments and engage staff to seek creative solutions and drive change. Attend to the human side of change.
- Embrace and Embed Inclusion in Decision-making: Reach out to leverage diverse points of view, talents and capabilities. Is accountable for the impacts of their approach, decisions and actions on themselves, coworkers, stakeholders and those we serve.
- Accept responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the region's work.
- Foster Teamwork and Collaboration: Foster teamwork and collaboration while developing people. Build trusting cooperative relationships and meaningful connections. Understand/build networks and collaboration.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: - Experience interpreting and drafting legislation, rules, agency policies and procedures.
- High volume hearings or litigation management experience.
- Experience formulating and supporting legal defense strategies, preferably on behalf of state agencies.
- Mediation experience.
- Experience managing high volume legal/claims programs, processes and procedures.
- Project management experience.
How to apply: Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:
- Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications.
- Current resume detailing experience and education.
Supplemental Information: The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors. We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.
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.
Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.
This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver's license.
If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.
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, 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 Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible,
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.
02647
More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for
exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026