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Federal Compliance Specialist - Chief Financial Office
State of Washington
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$80,870 - $95,197
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Inspection & Compliance jobs →Closes
March 24, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This job involves ensuring that Washington state's public schools follow federal education laws and regulations, such as managing grants and reporting requirements to avoid penalties.
The role supports school districts by providing guidance and resources to maintain compliance.
It's a good fit for someone with experience in education policy, auditing, or finance who enjoys detail-oriented work and helping improve equity in schools.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in education, public administration, finance, or a related field (preferred or required)
- At least 3-5 years of experience in federal grant compliance, auditing, or regulatory oversight in education
- Strong knowledge of federal education laws, such as ESSA, IDEA, or Title I funding requirements
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills for reviewing reports and identifying compliance issues
- Effective communication skills for providing technical assistance to school districts and stakeholders
- Ability to work independently with partial telework, including minimum in-office days twice a month in Olympia
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in educational practices
Full Job Description
WASHINGTON MANAGEMENT SERVICE
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Federal Compliance Specialist
$80,870 - $95,197 annually
Closes March 23, 2026
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks to fill the Federal Compliance Specialist. This full-time position is based in Olympia, Washington.
This position may be eligible for partial to near full-time telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. In-office days are required twice a month at minimum.
We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
About OSPI and our initiatives
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state.
Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives.
We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise.
OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:
- We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee.
The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision, Mission, and Values Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators.
We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Equity
Each student, family, and community possesses strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
- Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and highly mobile student populations.
- Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
Position Overview
The Federal Compliance Specialist directly supports OSPI’s oversight of K-12 public education in Washington state.
The objective of this position is to help OSPI satisfy federal requirements for subrecipient monitoring as well as meet audit resolution responsibilities required under the Audit Resolution Process (WAC Chapter 392 Section 115).
This position’s main purpose is to monitor the federal fiscal activities of school districts and educational service districts to ensure that multiple federally-funded programs under the Department of Education (approximately $1 billion) are used for authorized purposes in compliance with laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant requirements.
Additionally, this position performs desk reviews of federal audit reports to ensure they meet audit requirements; conducts formal resolution of audit findings and exceptions which includes ensuring corrective action is implemented; and recovers federal funding from districts as appropriate.
Key Responsibilities
Monitor the fiscal activities of school districts and educational service districts to ensure that multiple federally-funded programs under the Department of Education are used for authorized purposes in compliance with laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant agreements.
Develop and maintain a written set of policies and procedures that guide the scope and frequency of fiscal monitoring activities, including follow up on corrective actions.
This entails developing a risk assessment (factors that determine the methods and frequency of monitoring), a monitoring schedule and review checklist.
Perform audit resolution responsibilities in accordance with federal requirements and the Audit Resolution Process (WAC Chapter 392 Section 115).
- Monitor and track the issuance of audit reports by the State Auditor’s Office and perform timely desk reviews on federal single audit reports.
- Ensure that districts expending $1 million or more in federal awards during the fiscal year have met audit requirements.
- Work in collaboration with others in resolving findings and analyzing alternative documentation in an effort to mitigate federal questioned costs. This may include working with district officials and staff; OSPI program staff, and auditors.
- Issue a management decision on audit findings within the required deadline and ensure the district takes appropriate and timely corrective action.
- Ensure the recovery of disallowed federal costs as determined by the audit resolution process.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business management, or closely related field. Related professional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Experience:
- Three years professional level experience in auditing or fiscal monitoring of federal compliance requirements, preferably of school districts.
- Experience in the development, interpretation, and application of policies and procedures.
- Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to clearly communicate technical issues.
- Ability to plan, organize and manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
- Ability to travel statewide for work or attend training/conferences if required.
Desired Qualifications:
Competencies:
- Ability to properly identify, collect, and document data and information for assessment and analysis.
- Possess interviewing skills, the ability to ask the right questions, gather and attain information.
- Knowledge of school district accounting systems and processes and internal controls.
- Knowledge of application of federal administrative rules in school districts.
CompensationThe annual compensation for the position is $80,870 - $95,197 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications.
Geographic differentials may be applied based on work location of successful candidate.
Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program.
Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a Washington Management Position.
This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format:
- A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
- A current résumé, and;
- A list of three or more professional references.
NOTE: Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human ResourcesOffice of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278: sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert Service
OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity.
OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.”
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