Job Description

Posting number: 2026-05498

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: Administrative Services

Job classification: EXEMPT BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Management, Miscellaneous, Customer Service, Office and Administrative Support, Payroll/Benefits Administration

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."

Job Title: Executive Assistant to Chief Programming Officer (Olympia)

Location Olympia, WA, Thurston County

Closes: July 21st, 2026

Salary: $83,988.00 - $92,568.00Annually

The Opportunity:

As the Executive Assistant to the Chief Programming Officer (CPO), you will play a key role in supporting executive leadership and helping ensure the smooth operation of DCYF’s programs. The CPO oversees all of DCYF’s client-serving programs, including early learning, child welfare, prevention and services, licensing and juvenile rehabilitation, which represents over 3,000 state employees. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted advisor and primary administrative partner, coordinating high-level operations, guiding administrative staff, and managing executive priorities. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with agency leaders, build strong cross-functional relationships, and make a meaningful impact by supporting the Department of Children, Youth, and Families' mission to protect children and strengthen families.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Helps manage internal issues and responsibilities involving the operation, priorities, and assignments to assist the CPO.
• Drafts and manages correspondence for the CPO.
• Manages travel and purchasing process for the CPO and other executive leaders, as needed.
• High-level calendar management for the CPO, including prepare and save calendars to serve records retention requirements.
• Manages and maintains executive documents in appropriate filing systems
• Represent the CPO on agency-wide projects and activities related to administrative initiatives and issues.
• Investigate operating methods and procedures in various functional areas and develop improved methods where indicated.
• Participate in assessing process improvement initiatives, monitoring contracts to ensure performance and/or compliance as necessary/required.
• Provide fast paced assistance to program staff.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience in the administrative assistant capacity for a mid-level manager, administrator, or executive.

OR

Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent AND six (6) years of experience in the administrative assistant capacity for a mid-level manager, administrator, or executive.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or closely allied field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent, AND four (4) years of administrative or supervisory experience.

AND

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

Additional Qualifications:

• Ability to anticipate potential problems, analyze sensitive matters objectively, and provide proactive, realistic solutions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of agency functions, state government processes, legislative dynamics, and the broader political environment.
• Ability to effectively build and maintain effective relationships with the Governor’s Office, senior leaders, external partners, internal staff, and community organizations.
• Ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholders initiatives across teams, divisions, and agencies.
• Ability to think strategically, creatively, and collaboratively to support executive initiatives and agency goals.
• Ability to write and prepare clear and effective reports and other documents and to create presentations, complex charts and graphs, and electronic forms.

*Experience may be gained concurrently.

How do I apply?
Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Letter of Interest that details how you meet the qualifications for the position.

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 mission 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.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@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, 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, click here

DSHS BHHA Strategic and Organizational Performance Manager description imageDCYF 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.