Director of Policy, Training and Performance

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

Job Title: Director of Policy, Training and Performance (Exempt) Olympia

Location: Olympia, Washington - Hybrid position - some work can be accomplished remotely, but travel to in-person meetings and facilities is required.

Reports To: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR)

Salary: $82,344 - $146,784 Annually

Closes: December 14th, 2025

We are seeking an experienced, highly-motivated, ethical, compassionate, and committed individual for Juvenile Rehabilitation's (JR) Director of Policy, Training and Performance Improvement. JR provides young people with tools they need to make substantial changes in their lives and help them have a better future.

Director of Policy, Training and Performance Improvement will have the ability to shape the future of JR's division that is at the critical to providing effective, transformative and clear services to young people who are most removed from opportunity, using data to inform and shape improvements in the work we do for them, and driving policy change with clarity and purpose. A commitment to clearly communicating to staff, young people, families, and communities what we do is foundational to this position.

We are bringing the three areas together of policy, training and quality improvement in one division to spark their collective power. The direct team of reports are talented and mighty, and a group of dedicated and passionate peers who are deeply committed to this work and the young people we serve. This role will work alongside other partners across DCYF and state government in data, policy, quality improvement and training development. We are looking for a committed, knowledgeable, experienced individual who cares deeply about young people in juvenile justice, the staff who work for them in 24/7 settings and in the community – and understands how to train and prepare them effectively with policies and procedures, training/onboarding and professional development, as well as ongoing quality improvement efforts.

This position reports to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of JR and is part of the JR Executive Management Team.

Here's a few details about the position:

This position provides direct supervision and overall management, leadership, and direct/indirect supervision of training, policy development, quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts through the Division and across the agency statewide. This work must follow human resource rules, laws, CBAs, and practices. Consults with and advises the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation and agency leadership, appointing authorities, managers, supervisors, and external state agency management peers regarding Juvenile Rehabilitation's comprehensive staff programs and initiatives, such as human resource related functions, onboarding, training, policy development, quality assurance, wellness, gender responsiveness, equity and inclusion efforts.

The Director also monitors best practices for incorporation into training academies and curricula and applies best practices to the development of policies and quality improvement efforts across JR. To include:

• Administering frameworks necessary to ensure effective and consistent response to strategic initiatives to include all human resource functions.
• Overseeing staff-centered training programs to ensure the success of Juvenile Rehabilitation employees.
• Supervising and directing JR's policy development function
• Supervising and managing JR's quality assurance and continuous quality improvement (CQI) functions.
• Designing and implementing the yearly training schedule by January of each year.
• Providing technical/advanced level expert knowledge and assistance to internal and external executives, managers and staff in the design, development, and implementation of complex, comprehensive programs, training, policy initiatives, and quality assurance systems.
• Developing and administer program review and analysis processes to measure objectives and outcomes of strategic programs and initiatives, including use of exit surveys, employee satisfaction surveys, and PbS/CbS staff surveys. Benchmark with other organizations to utilize best practices and principles in the area of staff programming, training, policy development, and quality assurance.
• Communicating information regarding procedural requirements and other government, local, and agency mandates; collaborate with internal and external stakeholders and local agencies.

Provide division-wide analysis, management, leadership, and supervision in the design, development, and implementation of training, policy development, and quality assurance efforts to advance the workforce with improved retention and professional development. To include:

• Staff Training and Development.
• Human Resources Liaison.
• Onboarding and Offboarding.
• Wellness.
• Trauma Recovery.
• Peer Support.
• Gender Responsive.
• Policy Development.
• Quality Assurance/CQI.
• Management of DCYF and JR division-wide projects and assignments delegated from the Deputy Assistant Secretary to ensure timely completion in such high-level and sensitive matters.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Master's Degree in public administration, business administration, social sciences or criminal justice (or similar) from an accredited institution where accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Higher Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Three (3) years of broad-based, progressively responsible experience in juvenile justice or related fields with 24/7 facilities related to workforce wellness and development, staff retention and addressing trauma, and promoting provision of quality of care.

OR

• Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, social sciences or criminal justice (or similar) from an accredited institution where accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Higher Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) AND Five (5) years of broad-based, progressively responsible experience in juvenile justice or related fields with 24/7 facilities related to workforce wellness and development, staff retention and addressing trauma, and promoting provision of quality of care.

OR

• Seven (7) years of broad-based, progressively responsible experience in juvenile justice or related fields with 24/7 facilities related to workforce wellness and development, staff retention and addressing trauma, and promoting provision of quality of care. Advanced skill level of interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and public speaking skills. One (1) year of contract management experience, preferably within a governmental corrections environment. Working knowledge of agency organizational structure and inter-disciplinary relationship across divisions. Experience formulating, implementing, and overseeing policy with agency impact. Knowledge of quality assurance functions, classification, reentry-focused programming and evidence-based practices. Demonstrated creativity in responding to changing workplace environments AND Two (2) years demonstrated understanding and leadership of effective training, wellness, equity and inclusion practices that promote authentic staff engagement and retention.

AND

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

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

Previous demonstrated experience in the following:

• Public administration and program management.
• Budget development and fiscal management.
• Federal and state laws.
• Staff development, personnel rules and policies.
• State legislative processes.
• Background check processes, eligibility processes and professional development.
• Principles of effective collaboration and partnership, stakeholder involvement and inclusion.
• Change management.
• Deep knowledge of child, youth and young adult development, juvenile justice, risk, needs, and responsivity, quality assurance, professional development strategies, and building statewide systems and policies based on research and best practices
  • Experience building programs within local communities and using data to modify and drive improvements for systems development.
• Understanding of racial and ethnic disparities.
• Strong written and verbal skills and the ability to represent the department within Washington and nationally.
• Strong experience working with constituents, advocates, funders, and decision makers to build systems, develop programs, and scale.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

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.

This position is exempt from Washington's civil service rules. Exempt employment is considered "at will," and there are no contractual employment rights.

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

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. 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.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Steven Loduha (Talent Acquisition Manager)

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at or email

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD)