PROGRAM ASSISTANT

State of Washington

Olympia, WA

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

$54,504–$71,472 Per Year

SKILLS

Administrative Skills, Aged Care, Analysis Skills, Attorney, Child Protection/Welfare, Childcare, Collective Bargaining, Community and Social Services, Compensation and Benefits, Computer Skills, Conference Management, Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional, Data Visualization, Detail Oriented, Develop and Maintain Customers, Diversity, Employee Benefits, Establish Priorities, Event Management, Family Intervention, Flexible Spending Accounts, Government, Health Maintenance, Healthcare, Leadership, Legal, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Military, Multilingual, Nonprofit, Organizational Skills, People Management, Plan Meetings, Problem Solving Skills, Project/Program Management, Proofreading, Safety/Work Safety, Schedule Development, Service Delivery, Social Work, Student Loans, Team Player, Telephone Skills, Telephony, Time Management, Training Program Development, Travel Planning, Use Tax, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills

LOCATION

Olympia, WA

POSTED

3 days ago

Salary: $54,504.00 - $71,472.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 0020
Department: Office of Public Defense
Opening Date: 05/13/2026

Description
We Want You to Join Our Passionate Public Defense Team!

About the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD)

We are an independent judicial branch agency mandated to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state.

Mission: Upholding the rights of all people who are facing the loss of liberty or family by providing statewide leadership, administration, and support to the multidisciplinary public defense profession.
Vision: Public defense clients, everywhere in the state, receive truly equitable and client-centered representation from fully supported professionals.
Values: Justice * Service * Equity * Excellence
We administer a variety of programs, including systemic improvement programs and programs providing direct representation. To learn about OPD's programs, please visit our We are dedicated to excellence in public law and indigent defense, and we seek talented candidates who share this commitment to client-centered service. We value employees who bring diverse backgrounds in education, employment, community activities, and life experiences to enhance our office.
The Washington State Office of Public Defense Parents Representation Program (PRP) is seeking a full-time Program Assistant to work as part of a motivated and diverse team of managing attorneys, a training coordinator, social service managers, a parent voice advocacy manager, and a small admin team. Join us in promoting anti-racist practices, quality oversight, and continual improvement of the Parents Representation Program.
For more information about our program
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We vigorously pursue diversity in the work force. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons over 40 year of age, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities, formerly incarcerated people, people with prior child welfare involvement, and military veterans are encouraged to apply. Pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees enjoy a respectful, safe, and supportive working environment.
Program Description

The Parents Representation Program oversees and supports a multidisciplinary defense team of contract attorneys and contract social service professionals who represent indigent parents involved in child dependency and parental rights termination proceedings in Washington State family and juvenile courts. Managing Attorneys and Social Service Managers are responsible for overseeing the contractors working in their assigned counties. The Parents Rep Program utilizes standards and protocols that historically have resulted in significant improvements in child permanency and family reunification.
Parents Representation Program Purpose Statement

Ensuring a fair and equitable child welfare system by leading, administering, and supporting the effective and efficient delivery of multidisciplinary right-to-counsel services for indigent parents facing state intervention in the parent-child relationship.

This recruitment is open until the position is filled. First review of applications will begin on May 27, 2026.
Duties
Program Assistants work with a Program Analyst to support 8 FTE Attorney Managers (including two Co-Supervising Attorneys) and 5 FTE Social Services Managers (including a Supervising Social Services Manager).
Program Assistants work as a team to manage a schedule of routine tasks, special projects, and time sensitive requests. Task prioritization, time management, a self-directed work style, and a flexible workflow are essential to success in this role.
Periodic travel is required in Washington State, including occasional overnight travel. Out-of-state travel occurs infrequently.
General Responsibilities

Exercise mature judgment in potentially sensitive, high-stress situations while maintaining client confidentially and proper discretion
Respond to inquiries and explain complex processes to various audiences including contractors and callers from the community

Draft, proofread, and process professional-quality business/legal correspondence
Track and maintain various program data
Serve as liaison between program staff, contract attorneys, social service professionals, trial & appellate courts, and others
Coordinate meetings, manage program staff schedules, and arrange travel
Plan events including conferences, trainings, and retreats

Diligently follow attorney and state employee ethics requirements

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

Commitment to an anti-racist work culture and an understanding of how race, gender, national origin, disability, and class intersect to create disparities for individuals and families experiencing state intervention in their lives
Able to develop and sustain respectful professional relationships with interconnected agencies and callers from the community who may be under distress
Time management including prioritizing tasks and tracking deadlines in both independent and collaborative work settings
Advanced computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and Excel
Attention to detail as well as excellent writing, note-taking, and proofreading skills
Conduct all activities with the highest degree of professionalism in furtherance of OPD's Mission, Vision and Values

Desired Qualifications

Multilingual
Experience or demonstrated interest in working in a public-service oriented law or advocacy position
Experience assisting in developing and organizing training programs
Able to utilize technology creatively to solve problems
Experience using Teams Telephony or directing calls using a multiline phone system
Advanced Excel skills and experience with data visualization

Supplemental Information
Compensation

Annual Full-Time Salary Range of $54,504 to $71,472

Compensation depends on qualifications. Washington State employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package that includes: paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, retirement and health, dental and life insurance coverage for self and family. There are also options for deferred compensation, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, and eligibility for federal public loan forgiveness.
Application Process

To be considered, interested candidates must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above.) You must complete the entire online application. In addition to the online application:

Letter of interest.
Current résumé
At least three professional references.

Do not use AI to generate application materials.
Teleworking

Our offices are in Olympia, Washington. We have teleworking options available by policy, and will be considered on an individual basis depending on the needs of the position and the availability of adequate equipment.

If you have problems navigating the online application process and/or uploading the required documents or have questions about the position, email tracy.sims@opd.wa.gov for assistance. If any of the additional requested items are missing your application may not be considered.
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

About the Company

State of Washington

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