Salary: $7,241.00 - $10,317.00 Monthly
Location : Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: WMS 26-08
Department: Dept. of Labor & Industries
Division: Director's Office
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Note: this position falls under the Washington Management System 2 pay scheduling. The range is $71,004-$130,320 annually. The typical range for this specific position is $86,892-$123,804.
Shape the future of childcare policy in Washington State

Every day, families and childcare providers across Washington rely on a workforce that is stable, supported, and fairly compensated. The Child Care Workforce Standards Board was created to help make that possible - and this position sits at the center of the Board's work, inside the L&I Director's Office.

As the Senior Policy Advisor supporting the Child Care Workforce Standards Board, you'll provide direct executive management support to a 10-member statewide board, ensuring its work is grounded in sound policy, complies with its statutory obligations, and reflects the director's vision and the department's goals, values, and strategic direction.

In this role, you will work closely with the Deputy Policy Director, Policy Director, Legislative Director, and the L&I Director to provide policy support on agency-wide programs and initiatives, with a specific focus on the Child Care Workforce Standards Board. You will foster collaboration within the Board, with programs across the agency, and with partner state agencies like DCYF - coordinating meetings, conducting policy research, and proactively identifying impacted parties.

Your work won't just check boxes; you'll be part of a respected Government Affairs and Policy Division (GAPD) team that values technical excellence, sound judgment, and collaborative problem-solving.

This is a Washington Management Service (WMS) position (Band 2, individual contributor) and is not represented by a bargaining unit.
This position is eligible for telework and/or a flexible schedule with supervisor approval. Evening and weekend work may occasionally be required, particularly during legislative sessions
Duties

Duties
Some of what you will do:

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with each of the 10 Child Care Workforce Standards Board members to ensure equitable responsiveness to each member.
• Develop a charter for the Board and ensure the Board operates within that framework.
• Conduct policy, analytics, research, and legislative and management support for the Board.
• Provide updates to the director and agency leadership on Board policy issues affecting the agency, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Advise and coordinate with the Board and internal agency partners on the development, implementation, and evaluation of stakeholder engagement plans, programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Lead and manage all duties related to the Board, including coordinating with DCYF on an interagency agreement and data sharing, conducting policy research across other West Coast states, and developing meeting agendas and content.
• Conduct public hearings as needed for the Board.
• Advise the director on all Board recommendations, distinguishing those achievable within existing authority from those requiring legislative changes.
• Draft all required reports for the Board, accurately capturing discussions, decisions, and votes.
• Review and maintain working knowledge of legislative proposals that may impact the Board's work.
• Conduct policy research on topics including wage rates/compensation, relevant West Coast geographic/occupational data, CBAs, testimony, local minimum employment standards, recruitment/retention, training requirements, career paths, reimbursement practices, and safety requirements.
• Provide policy guidance and assistance across divisions, help identify and resolve sensitive issues, support agency rulemaking, serve as backup to other policy advisors, and support broader legislative efforts.

Travel to various field offices around the state for meetings is required, with occasional overnight travel. A personal vehicle may be required if state vehicles are unavailable.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• A master's degree in public administration or a related field, with experience in rule and/or public policy development and analysis, experience with the Legislature, and stakeholder engagement expertise.

OR

• A bachelor's degree involving major study in public or business administration, journalism, communications, writing, English, or a closely allied field, with additional qualifying experience substituting for education at a rate of one year of experience per one year of education.

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• Knowledge of the agency's authorizing and political environment, multiple program statutes, and each program's legal process, as well as the agency's work functions and current controversies.
• Ability to solve complex problems that impact policy and politics, work with diverse and opposing stakeholders, communicate complex legal information in easily understood terms, analyze intended and unintended consequences of agency action or inaction, defend recommended positions, and present to internal and external stakeholders.

DESIRED:

• Knowledge of tools, materials, and methods used in the childcare industry; wage and hour laws; principles of legislative and rulemaking processes; compensation and benefits analysis and theory; principles of project/program management; principles of labor law; statistical methods; and principles of effective program performance management.
• Strong service orientation.
• Technology aptitude.
• Leadership and team orientation.
• Excellent verbal and writing skills.
• Ability to motivate and influence.
• Business process analysis skills.
• Superior organizational skills.

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know
State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee's career.

At L&I, your voice matters. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety, health, and security of Washington's workers and to supporting a stable, well-supported childcare workforce for Washington families.
Application Process
We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because selection is based on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to clearly identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desired qualifications described in this announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
• A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
• A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.