Dependency Court Improvement Analyst

Administrative Office of the Courts; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Administrative Office of the Courts in Olympia, Washington, is seeking a Dependency Court Improvement Analyst to strengthen the dependency court system and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. This role works with FYJP and partners statewide to design, support, and evaluate equitable, trauma-informed practices.

You will facilitate action-oriented workgroups, coordinate timelines, and provide technical assistance to courts implementing changes in practice, staffing, and forms.

Qualifications

• Experience in child welfare or dependency court practice is preferred.
• Ability to facilitate groups with diverse perspectives and guide action plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication; capable of producing clear materials.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Support action-oriented dependency court improvement workgroups, coordinating timelines and deliverables.
• Facilitate group processes and guide teams toward concrete milestones.
• Collaborate with courts, lived experts, DCYF, attorneys, tribal partners, and community orgs.
• Conduct research, analysis, and evaluation of court processes and propose improvements.
• Provide technical assistance for changes to practice, staffing, forms, or procedures.
• Develop toolkits, presentations, and guidance documents for partners.
• Maintain program information on AOC and FYJP websites and support statewide initiatives.
• Build relationships with statewide system partners, including families with lived experience.

Skills

Child welfare knowledge

Facilitation skills

Project coordination

Cross-sector collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in court administration or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365 Suite

Word

Teams

SharePoint

Canva

WordPress CMS

Job description

Make a Difference in the Court System!

The Administrative Office of the Courts is looking for a passionate and skilled Dependency Court Improvement Analyst to help strengthen Washington’s dependency court system and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. If you’re driven by meaningful work and committed to equity and family well-being, this role offers the chance to make a real, statewide impact.

As a key member of the Family and Youth Justice Programs (FYJP) team, you’ll collaborate with courts, lived experts, and partners across the child welfare system to design, support, and evaluate efforts that make the court experience more equitable, trauma-responsive, and centered on hope. Your work will involve bringing people together across disciplines, facilitating action-focused workgroups, and helping courts implement practices that uplift families and communities. You’ll also play a central role in initiatives such as the Family Well-Being Community Collaborative and provide hands‑on support for local court improvement projects.

FYJP’s mission is transforming systems so that families can thrive and court communities reflect fairness, dignity, and inclusion. If this resonates with you, you’ll find this work both challenging and deeply rewarding. This position may involve travel to support courts and system partners statewide.

Washington Courts Employment Opportunity

Administrative Office of the Courts

Dependency Court Improvement Analyst

Court Program Analyst

Administrative Services Division

Our Mission

To advance the timely, effective, and equitable operations of the Washington State judicial branch.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values integrity, inclusion, accountability, and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

POSITION DETAILS

Job: 2026-76

Status: Regular, Full-Time

Location: Olympia, Washington

Salary: Range 64: $78,504 - $102,996 per year (DOQ)

Opens: August 14, 2026.

Closes: August 31, 2026. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time but no sooner than seven (7) calendar days after posting.

WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENCY AND TELEWORK INFORMATION

AOC requires employees to reside in Washington State. Any exceptions must be approved. If you are invited to interview and currently reside outside of Washington State, seek more information about residency requirements from the AOC hiring manager for this recruitment.

This position requires you to be in the office at least two (2) days per week.

Many of the key responsibilities for this role include:

• Support and staff action-oriented dependency court improvement workgroups, including coordinating timelines, tracking deliverables, maintaining communication loops, and ensuring consistent follow-through from discussion to implementation.
• Facilitate group processes in settings where members may have differing opinions, ensuring voices are heard while guiding groups toward action steps, implementation planning, and concrete next milestones.
• Collaborate with courts and system partners—including lived experts, DCYF, attorneys, tribal partners, and community-based organizations to align improvement efforts and advance equitable outcomes.
• Conduct research, analysis, and evaluation of existing court processes; identify opportunities for improvement; and prepare recommendations for courts and system partners.
• Provide technical assistance to courts implementing changes to practice, staffing, forms, or procedures related to dependency court operations.
• Develop and draft materials including toolkits, presentations, guidance documents, and communication products to support courts and system partners.
• Support programs and initiatives within the Family and Youth Justice Programs, demonstrating adaptability and flexibility as statewide priorities evolve and new initiatives emerge.
• Maintain and update program information and resources on the AOC and FYJP websites.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with system partners across the state, including families and youth with lived experience in the child welfare system.
• Performs other duties as required.

AND

• Bachelor’s degree in court administration, public administration, political science, business administration, or a closely allied field;

Three (3) years of experience in court administration and/or program development.

Relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.

THE IDEAL APPLICANT WILL ALSO HAVE SOME OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Experience in child welfare, dependency court practice, family-serving systems, or related areas.
• Understanding of and/or lived experience with the child welfare court system, and the ability to apply that perspective to system-change efforts.
• Demonstrated facilitation skills in virtual and in-person settings, including guiding diverse groups to set priorities, developing action plans, navigate differing viewpoints, and remain on task.
• Experience supporting cross-sector workgroups, committees, or Communities of Practice.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including preparation of clear and accessible materials.
• Ability to create inclusive spaces where all participants feel heard and respected.
• Commitment to race equity, procedural justice, and family-centered court practices.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across system partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products, including Word, Teams, and SharePoint, and presentation tools, such as Canva.
• Experience with—or willingness to learn—website content management using WordPress or similar tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, organize work effectively, meet deadlines, and provide strong meeting and coordination support, including tracking timelines, deliverables, and communication loops.
• Familiarity with the Washington State court system and the dependency court process.

• The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
• Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
• This position may be overtime eligible.

The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical, mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived), use of a service animal, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, age, HIV or Hepatitis C status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, please contact the AOC Human Resource Office, at [phone], or fax [phone], or via email to [e-mail].

Candidates who are offered a job with AOC must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

AOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal government eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identify and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements for that form.

AOC does not use E-verify; therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

SPECIAL NOTE

Before 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 job.