Salary: $83,988.00 - $92,568.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number:
Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families
Division: Administrative Services
Opening Date: 07/14/2026
Closing Date: 7/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
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.

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
01

Which of the following best describes how you qualify for this position?

• Eight (8) years of experience in the administrative assistant capacity for a mid-level manage