Policy Associate (Workforce Education)

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

$109K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Strong collaborative skills with a creative and resourceful mindset.
  • Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
  • Proven ability to enhance diversity in workforce settings.
  • Minimum of three years in workforce education program administration or related fields.
  • Experience in facilitating stakeholder meetings and policy development.
  • Ability to analyze labor market information for strategic recommendations.
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage statewide workforce education programs and grants.
  • Develop and influence programs ensuring equitable inclusion of diverse populations.
  • Analyze educational needs and evaluate state and federal policy impacts.
  • Support various stakeholders including boards and councils.
  • Provide technical assistance to colleges for equitable fund access.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal program requirements.
  • Coordinate professional development and training activities.

Benefits

  • Generous health and dental insurance.
  • Life insurance coverage.
  • Long-term disability support.
  • Retirement plan options.
  • Two deferred compensation programs available.
Full Job Description
Position Overview
The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) invites applications from qualified individuals interested in providing leadership and policy guidance for the operation of discrete workforce education programs. This recently vacated position supports the mission of SBCTC by providing for the program development, expansion, and operation of several of the state's Workforce education policy areas including, but not limited to Economic Development, Industry Demand, Work based Learning, Non-Credit course pathways, incumbent worker training, and workforce certificate and degree programs.

Headquartered in Olympia, Washington, remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

Principal Activities
  • Provide statewide direction and technical leadership to a full-range of education programs and grants including the coordination and management of the resources involved.
  • Provide program direction, wherever applicable, to design, implement, and influence programs to ensure fair and equitable inclusion of populations facing barriers
  • Provide policy development, statewide planning, implementation, program operations, and oversight in assigned workforce education policy areas.
  • Provide comprehensive analysis of educational needs, interpretation of state and federal laws, policy and legislation recommendations, and program/policy evaluations. Utilize consideration of content, instructional processes, and resource generation and allocation within assigned policy areas.
  • Represent and/or provide staff support to various internal and external policy stakeholders, boards, commissions, and councils including State Workforce system initiatives, Economic Development, Workplace Learning initiatives, The Workforce Education Council, Continuing Education, and others as necessary.
  • Provide support and technical assistance to colleges in all assigned policy areas. Technical assistance efforts should be designed to enable colleges to access funds to meet local needs in a manner that is equitable, clear and easy to understand, strategic, flexible, and timely.
  • Meet state and federal legal and fiscal requirements for all assigned programs.
  • Conduct and/or coordinate statewide, regional, and local professional development and training activities.
  • Access, input, and analyze data from the SBCTC information systems and other workforce development databases and systems.
  • Other special projects and duties as assigned.
Qualifications
  • The successful candidate must be able to work collaboratively, think creatively, act resourcefully, and exhibit excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
  • Sharp, quick, agile, and effective responsiveness and decision-making abilities articulated clearly and precisely.
  • Commitment to community colleges and their mission of serving diverse and underrepresented student populations.
  • Demonstrate commitment and the ability to enhance and contribute to growing an inclusive workforce through leadership that contributes to diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environments for our students, fellow staff, and agency partners.
  • Three year' experience in workforce education program administration or related professional experience.
  • Experience facilitating and conducting stakeholder meetings and related activities, which lead to new or revised program policies, procedures, and/or processes.
  • Experience with developing and/or implementing strategies that strengthen and expand program offerings, streamline processes for colleges, and/or develop strategic partnerships.
  • Knowledge of national, state and local workforce development trends to include the ability to analyze labor market information.
  • Experience with data analysis and trend identification to develop policy and programmatic recommendations.
  • Leadership skills related to coordinating, assisting, and/or implementing workforce education training programs and/or grant initiatives.
  • Ability to evaluate, mentor, and supervise staff while promoting professional and career development.
  • Knowledge of the Washington community and technical college system and governance structure.
  • Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination of related experience and/or education.
  • Must be available for travel both in-state and out-of-state.
Compensation

Annual Salary: $109,824 to $109,824

Location: Olympia, Washington

Timeline

Open Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Close Date: Monday, September 21, 2026

This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual compensation for this position is listed above. Washington state has a generous benefit package including health, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and two optional deferred compensation programs. For more information, see Exempt Employee Benefits .

Recruitment and screening of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled. However, to ensure full consideration, return completed materials by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Note: Agency hiring authorities reserve the right - and may exercise the option - to make hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Please submit materials as soon as possible.

Supervision Reporting

This position supervises a program administrator and program coordinator position. This position reports to the director of workforce education.

Application Process

Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:
  • Online Application
  • Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
  • Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
  • Attach list of at least three professional references (including current supervisor) with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.
Contact

Pamela J. Kelly
Human Resource Consultant 4
[email protected]
360-704-4301

Submitted applications are the property of SBCTC and will not be returned.

Prior to new hire, the finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment. 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 position.

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