Salary: $109,545.00 - $120,393.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Tumwater, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Corrections
Division: Reentry
Opening Date: 11/06/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 10:00 AM Pacific
DescriptionEducation Services Manager | Pre-Apprenticeship and Vocational EducationFull Time | WMS Band 2Location: Headquarters | Tumwater, WA Salary Range: $109,545 - $120,393 AnnuallyThis position is represented by the Teamsters 117 bargaining unit. In the Education Services Manager role, you will provide direction and oversight for various services that prepare incarcerated individuals for life beyond incarceration. By ensuring programs are efficient, evidence-based, and aligned with Washington State legislative requirements and RCWs, you will help drive meaningful learning gains, credential attainment, and reduced recidivism. You will collaborate across the Department and with contract partners to implement consistent strategies, promote student engagement, and support measurable outcomes that reflect performance expectations.
The Education Services Manager formulates recommendations aligned with Reentry and Prison Division priorities, strengthens statewide partnerships, and fosters innovative practices that enhance education delivery. This position also manages contracts, ensures responsible stewardship of public funds, and supports engagement with student leadership groups to better meet the needs of corrections education participants.
As a leader within the Reentry Division, you will model a commitment to providing focused opportunities for success while working closely with senior leadership to advance division goals and the Department's mission to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
A completed application packet will include:- A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
- A detailed resume
- Three professional references
DutiesWe are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service and are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.
As an
Education Services Manager, some of your duties will include:
- Providing organizational leadership for education services including performance measures/initiatives within the Reentry Division which could look like:
- Serving as the Department's lead on postsecondary educational services, including coordinating student service and reentry efforts
- Formulating, reviewing/revising, disseminating, interpreting and implementing educational services-related policies, practices, and/or directives
- Analyzing and monitoring education-related legislation and work sessions, providing a briefing to DOC leadership
- Building and sustaining effective partnerships with appropriate national and philanthropic organizations, research organizations, state agencies, local and tribal governments, and community partners to enhance data sharing, collaboration, and the delivery of a continuum of services that support educational opportunities, reduction of recidivism, and improve public safety
- Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely and consistent identification, development, and delivery of educational programming within DOC prisons and student services within the community
- Establishing and maintaining positive, respectful, and collaborative relationships with other DOC department personnel to include:
- Working interactively with contract Education Service partners and Reentry leadership to create informed and collaborative efforts in educational programs and service delivery
- Facilitating cross-departmental and multi-disciplinary workgroups and support continuous quality improvement efforts
- Developing solution-oriented approaches to resolve issues at the lowest level and proactively approach challenges
- Providing leadership of contracted and volunteer educational service providers.
- Oversight of the Education Services process to support incarcerated persons with learning disabilities, TBIs, and other cognitive impairments requiring accommodations to effectively participate in education programming, including GED tests and post-secondary education
QualificationsWhat we need (required qualifications):- A Bachelor's degree in the areas of Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, Education, Public Administration, or a closely related field. The degree must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent
- AND
- Minimum of 4 years of professional experience managing programs at the state level, corrections, or within higher education institutions with a demonstrated record of effective supervisory skills, strategic planning, and program management and evaluation
AND- Minimum of 4 years of working in a supervisory or administrative capacity
OR- An associate degree from an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the US Department of Education and the CHEA or a foreign equivalent
AND- Minimum of 6 years of professional experience managing programs at the state level, corrections, or within higher education institutions with a demonstrated record of effective supervisory skills, strategic planning, and program management and evaluation
AND- Minimum of 6 years of working in a supervisory or administrative capacity
OR- A high school diploma/GED®
AND- Minimum of 8 years of professional experience managing programs at the state level, corrections, or within higher education institutions with a demonstrated record of effective supervisory skills, strategic planning, and program management and evaluation.
AND- Minimum of 8 years of working in a supervisory or administrative capacity
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): - Master's degree in Social Sciences, Criminal Justice, Education, Public Administration, or a closely related field
- Oral and written communication skills
- Ability to explain complex or technical information in user-friendly language
- Actively listens to others, paraphrases and asks clarifying questions, and is able to clearly and concisely emphasize key messages
- Ability to facilitate meetings
- Analytical skills
- Ability to embrace challenges in new and innovative ways
- Ability to break down, sort, and synthesize information, identify key themes and messages, formulate accurate conclusions, and provide briefings to support information management of critical issues
- Working knowledge of RCWs, WACs, department policy, federal law, the legislative process, case management, and incarcerated individuals
- Familiar with adult and higher education standards, privacy acts, and state and federal financial aid applications and rules
- Experience in data development, analysis, and presentation
Supplemental InformationTelework DetailsThis position may be allocated for telework. If authorized for the role, work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a "drop in" area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.
What We Offer: As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:
- Remote/telework/flexible s
