Executive Assistant to Chief Programming Officer (Olympia)

Posting number: 2026-05498

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: Administrative Services

Job classification: EXEMPT BAND 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, Management, Miscellaneous, Customer Service, Office and Administrative Support, Payroll/Benefits Administration

Summary

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

Job Title: Executive Assistant to Chief Programming Officer (Olympia)

Location: Olympia, WA, Thurston County

Closes: July 21st, 2026

Salary: $83,988.00 - $92,568.00Annually

The Opportunity:

As the Executive Assistant to the Chief Programming Officer (CPO), you will play a key role in supporting executive leadership and helping ensure the smooth operation of DCYF’s programs. The CPO oversees all of DCYF’s client-serving programs, including early learning, child welfare, prevention and services, licensing and juvenile rehabilitation, which represents over 3,000 state employees. The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted advisor and primary administrative partner, coordinating high-level operations, guiding administrative staff, and managing executive priorities. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with agency leaders, build strong cross-functional relationships, and make a meaningful impact by supporting the Department of Children, Youth, and Families' mission to protect children and strengthen families.

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Some of what you will get to do:

• Helps manage internal issues and responsibilities involving the operation, priorities, and assignments to assist the CPO.
• Drafts and manages correspondence for the CPO.
• Manages travel and purchasing process for the CPO and other executive leaders, as needed.
• High-level calendar management for the CPO, including prepare and save calendars to serve records retention requirements.
• Manages and maintains executive documents in appropriate filing systems
• Represent the CPO on agency-wide projects and activities related to administrative initiatives and issues.
• Investigate operating methods and procedures in various functional areas and develop improved methods where indicated.
• Participate in assessing process improvement initiatives, monitoring contracts to ensure performance and/or compliance as necessary/required.
• Provide fast paced assistance to program staff.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience in the administrative assistant capacity for a mid-level manager, administrator, or executive.

OR

Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent AND six (6) years of experience in the administrative assistant capacity for a mid-level manager, administrator, or executive.

OR

A Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or closely allied field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent, AND four (4) years of administrative or supervisory experience.

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

Additional Qualifications:

• Ability to anticipate potential problems, analyze sensitive matters objectively, and provide proactive, realistic solutions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of agency functions, state government processes, legislative dynamics, and the broader political environment.
• Ability to effectively build and maintain effective relationships with the Governor’s Office, senior leaders, external partners,