Salary: $84,750.00 - $101,250.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: OOS
Opening Date: 08/25/2026
Closing Date: 9/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
DescriptionAre you looking to drive meaningful work in Language access and equity?
The Department of Social and Health Services(DSHS), Office of Equity, Access, & Belonging (OEAB) is seeking a DSHS OOS Language Testing Administrator.
This is a fantastic, high-visibility position, which offers the opportunity to manage, develop and enhance the statewide Language Testing and Certification program for the Department of Social and Health Services.
You will work in a supportive, professional environment that allows you to be the critical link in ensuring DSHS provides an adequate pool of qualified interpreters and translators necessary for the language access the department's clients/employees need for bilingual/multi-lingual services. You will lead program modernization, oversee digital testing platforms, and ensure compliance with state and federal language-access laws.
This position offers flexible hybrid remote work.
Some of What You'll Do: - Program Compliance & Governance: Maintain full accountability for statewide language testing program compliance, resource allocation, service delivery, and the creation of strategic succession plans.
- Contract & RFP Management: Initiate, write, and manage vendor contracts and RFPs for test development, administration, proctoring, and grading, including reviewing invoices and approving resource allocations.
- Database & Platform Business Owner: Oversee, troubleshoot, and modernize the online testing platform and LTC Gateway database system to streamline candidate access, track scores, and identify system-wide IT modifications.
- Testing Operations & Scheduling: Direct overall agency-level scheduling, reserve test rooms, coordinate proctors, and establish yearly and monthly test schedules on the online appointment platform.
- Accommodations & Accessibility: Review and determine allowable test accommodation requests to preserve test integrity, collaborating directly with the ADA Director to ensure all testing materials remain fully accessible.
- Quality Control & Test Validation: Lead test content updates, implement WAC rulemaking revisions, complete candidate test critiques, and conduct analyses to ensure all examination instruments are valid and reliable.
- Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Serve as the primary agency liaison and subject matter expert to multilingual communities, advocacy groups, and statewide partners to promote available language access resources.
- Data Analysis & Reporting: Manage data collection protocols to track program impact, determine employee testing clusters, evaluate fill rates, and produce annual performance outcome reports.
- Customer Support & Issue Resolution: Manage the public-facing website, oversee the program mailbox, and act as the primary point of contact for complex test grievance complaints and fee refund resolutions.
What we're looking for:Bachelor's degree and five years of experience administering statewide programs and services related to language testing and certification.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute for the required education on the basis of one year of experience for one year of education.
Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:- Knowledge of the Reyes Consent Decree, WAC rules, and the Language Access Provider Collective Bargaing Agreement(CBA).
- Expertise in language testing design principles, including reliability, validity, and accessibility.
- Extensive experience serving and working with diverse linguistic, cultural, and low-income communities.
- Proven ability to organize, manage, and execute complex, statewide projects and strategic plans.
- Skilled in facilitating partnerships across government agencies, non-profits, businesses, and foundations.
- Strong track record of leading, motivating, and building relationships with internal teams and external contractors.
- Experience developing, leading, and executing strategic organizational change initiatives.
- Ability to manage high-volume workloads and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in creating public-facing written materials, Microsoft Office Suite, and virtual conference tools.
Preferred Skills:- Fluency and literacy in a language other than English
Your completed application should include a letter of interest describing your experience, skills, knowledge and abilities that demonstrate how you meet the qualifications for the position.
Questions about this opportunity? Please contact and reference project number 06959.
Supplemental Information 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.
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 BenefitsEmployees 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 CompensationState 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 SecurityAll 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 ForgivenessIf 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 LeaveWashington 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 Lea 
