Juvenile Hearings Administrator (WMS2) - Olympia

Full Job Description

We accept applications from DCYF staff only. Current DCYF employees are encouraged to apply.

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".

Job Title: Juvenile Hearings Administrator (WMS2)
Location: Olympia, WA. Flexible/Hybrid
Closes: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Salary: $100,934.00 - $126,168.00 Annually

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is seeking an experienced and mission-driven leader to take responsibility for operations and management of the JR hearings program statewide.

This position manages an efficient, effective JR Hearings Team and oversees Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearing Officers who conduct administrative hearings and issue decisions in accordance with applicable law, policy, and procedure.

The position is responsible for oversight of transfer hearings and other JR hearing matters and ensures hearing operations are fair, consistent, timely, and compliant with relevant requirements.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:

You will provide leadership, oversight, and direction for the Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearings program, including oversight of hearing operations, hearing officer performance, adjudicative consistency, and procedural fairness.

You will be responsible for the development of hearing-related policies, procedures, and performance measures, and for ensuring hearings are conducted in compliance with applicable law, policy, and due process requirements.

You will also be responsible for the growth and development of Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearing Officers, including hiring, retention, professional development, and succession planning.

As the advanced level subject matter expert, you are accountable for management and oversight of the juvenile hearings program for DCYF.

Some of what you will do:

• Oversee the conduct of administrative hearings involving Juvenile Rehabilitation matters, including transfer hearings and other processes assigned to the program.
• Ensure hearings are conducted fairly, consistently and in accordance with applicable law, policy, and procedural requirements.
• Supervise hearing officers and review hearing practices, written decisions, and program operations for quality, consistency, and timelines.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and operational standards for the Juvenile Rehabilitation Hearings Program.
• Serve as the senior subject matter expert on JR hearing processes, due process requirements, and adjudicative practice.
• Monitor compliance, identify operational risks, and implement process improvements within the hearings program.
• Investigate and respond to concerns or complaints related to hearing operations, process integrity, and service delivery.
• Manage the daily operations of the hearings team, including workload assignment, staffing, coaching, performance management, and professional development.
• Promote equal access, procedural fairness, and equitable treatment of all hearing participants.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners regarding hearing operations while maintaining the neutrality and integrity of the hearing function.

Required Qualifications:

Ten years of experience with a combination of working in hearing-related work.

OR

A Bachelor's Degree in law, social science, health, public administration, or related field, AND

• Six years of experience handling hearings, discovery, claims and lawsuits.
• Six years of experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering programs in business, public administration, and conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
• Six years progressively responsible supervision and directing the activities and performance of others.
• Years of experience can be gained concurrently.

OR

Master’s degree in business, public administration, law or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), or closely allied field, from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), AND

• Three years of experience handling hearings, discovery, claims and lawsuits.
• Three years of experience in planning, administering, developing, or delivering programs in business, public administration, and conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
• Three years progressively responsible supervision and directing the activities and performance of others.
• Years of experience can be gained concurrently.

AND

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Required Competencies:

• Model and Champion our Culture and Values: Demonstrate abilities to earn the trust, respect and confidence of colleagues, employees, partners, and customers through honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Cultivate a Shared Strategic Vision: Describe an inspiring, long-term vision with deep meaning for the organization or team. This includes a commitment towards eliminating racial disproportionalities and advancing racial equity.
• Develop People: Bring great people with the right skills and the right motivation into the organization and enable them to do their best work every day.
• Drive Results: Create and nurture a performance-based culture of continuous improvement. Is passionate about data informed decision-making, scientific problem solving, customer responsiveness and satisfaction, and maximizing resources across the organization.
• Foster Learning: Foster a climate that supports creativity, innovation and hypothesis testing. Support and invest in employee learning and development.
• Build Relationships: Build and maintain internal and external relationships that create positive customer satisfaction with the services offered by the Department.
• Communicate Effectively: Convey clear, timely and persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.

Embrace inclusivity and transparency in decision making.

Actively contribute to a work environment that embraces building and sustaining relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders, recognizing the value of culture, ethnic, gender and other individual differences, to enhance the attainment of department goals.

• Lead and Navigate Change: Navigate the organization through complex and changing environments and engage staff to seek creative solutions and drive change. Attend to the human side of change.
• Embrace and Embed Inclusion in Decision-making: Reach out to leverage diverse points of view, talents and capabilities. Is accountable for the impacts of their approach, decisions and actions on themselves, coworkers, stakeholders and those we serve.
• Accept responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the region’s work.
• Foster Teamwork and Collaboration: Foster teamwork and collaboration while developing people. Build trusting cooperative relationships and meaningful connections. Understand/build networks and collaboration.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Experience interpreting and drafting legislation, rules, agency policies and procedures.
• High volume hearings or litigation management experience.
• Experience formulating and supporting legal defense strategies, preferably on behalf of state agencies.
• Mediation experience.
• Experience managing high volume legal/claims programs, processes and procedures.
• Project management experience.

How to apply:
Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created to be a comprehensive agency exclusively dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other socioeconomic factors.

We believe our workforce should reflect the communities we serve and are actively searching for candidates that reflect that diversity.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.

Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct.

Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.

This position requires a minimum of at least two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact DCYF Recruiter.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission).

If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge.

Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

02647