MERIT System Navigator (MA3) - Olympia

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 61,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington, through DCYF's Early Learning Division, seeks a MERIT System Navigator to deliver individualized support and technical assistance for DCYF programs and systems. This role emphasizes Somali-English language services, policy guidance, and workforce registry expertise to enhance access for children, families, and providers across Washington.

Telework with occasional onsite support; requires certification in Somali interpretation within six months and a 5% assignment pay for

Qualifications

• Six years of planning, policy analysis, and coordination experience.
• Experience coordinating with public and private agencies.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to clients or constituents.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic, one-on-one technical assistance for DCYF programs.
• Interpret and translate Somali and English for clients.
• Analyze data reports to support quality assurance.
• Train staff on the workforce registry and LMS.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal policies.

Skills

Bilingual Somali/English

Communication skills

Technical assistance

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Tools

MERIT workforce registry

LMS (Learning Management System)

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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.”

Dual Language: The ability to pass a Somali language certification test through DCYF is required to be eligible for this position. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test.

Job Title: MERIT System Navigator (MA3)

Location: Olympia, WA - The official duty station for this position is Olympia, WA. This position is currently designated as a telework position. Employees must be willing and able to report to a local DCYF office when needed to support agency business needs, including IT or equipment support.

Closes: Tuesday, November 17th, 2026

Salary: $61,332 - $82,440 Annually

Are you passionate about helping others navigate complex systems and access the resources they need to succeed? Join DCYF's Early Learning Division as a MERIT System Navigator and become part of a collaborative, mission-driven team dedicated to expanding opportunities for children, families, and child care providers across Washington. In this role, you will serve as a trusted resource for the early learning workforce by providing individualized support, technical assistance, and guidance that helps those who serve children, youth, and families successfully access and navigate DCYF programs and systems.

The Opportunity:

As a MERIT System Navigator, you will provide holistic and comprehensive support services to the early learning workforce by delivering individualized consultation and one‑on‑one technical assistance related to DCYF programs, policies, and systems. You will help implement a seamless provider support experience by connecting users with appropriate resources, troubleshooting system and program‑related questions, and guiding providers through complex processes. This role also evaluates support needs and trends to inform long‑term planning, program development, and system improvements.

This position serves a diverse population that includes many individuals whose primary language is Somali and who may have limited English proficiency. As a key resource within the program area, you will provide oral and written language assistance in Somali and English, including interpreting, translating, interviewing, reviewing documentation, and obtaining information from clients. Through these efforts, you will help improve access to services and strengthen support for the workforce that serves children, youth, and families throughout Washington.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Implement program policy for internal and external providers and stakeholders regarding state or federal guidelines and clarification about interconnection with professional development policy and procedures.
• Implement procedure, tools, and processes for DCYF systems and recommend changes to program policies.
• Anticipate potential conflict and programmatic barriers and attempts to provide direction and resolution before problems occur.
• Process systems applications necessary to determine eligibility to incentive and awards.
• Review individual qualifications and program performance standards to support an individual plan; evaluates and consults with staff and outside entities to explore solutions and alternatives based on program policy and DCYF recognized alternatives to meet the goals and objectives of the program.
• Implement and monitors professional development policy, procedures, and protocols that interface with the professional development program and workforce registry.
• Responsible for complex technical guidance to DCYF agency staff regarding the workforce registry and learning management system.
• Implement training for agency staff and new staff on the workforce registry.
• Implement professional development policy and intersect between the professional development team and other agency business teams and external partners.
• Implement state, federal and agency policy, with emphasis on intersects between DCYF policy, professional development policy, other DCYF business area policy and workforce registry data.
• Analysis of data reports to respond to quality assurance checks associated to trainings, state‑approved trainers, and professional development contract deliverables.
• Prepare source data for analysis, information, recommending priorities and procedures that interface with the workforce registry (MERIT), and the DCYF external Training portal (LMS).
• Process user and account documents by reviewing data for deficiencies; resolving discrepancies by using standard procedures.
• Maintain training reports, accesses the professional development team’s learning management system to complete data checks, completion reports and inputting data when needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years in planning, policy analysis, coordination, and consultation with various public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government, demonstrating progressively responsible roles and achievements.

OR

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience including planning, policy analysis, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.

OR

• An Associate degree and four (4) years of experience including planning, policy analysis, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.

AND

• Three (3) years of experience providing technical assistance to clients/constituents or customer support regarding inquiries, complaints or requests for assistance.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

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

• In‑depth knowledge of the early learning field and DCYF’s involvement and responsibilities in supporting early learning professionals.
• Previous demonstrated knowledge of child care licensing program policies, early childhood education, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Previous demonstrated knowledge and experience working with professional development registries and/or web‑based data systems.
• Proven effectiveness working collaboratively with a team.
• Previous demonstrated experience writing procedures, handbooks, and general communication documents.
• Previous demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and complete multiple projects, with accuracy.
• Previous demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications

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 goal to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The incumbent must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

Must have the ability to read, write, and speak fluently in both English and Somali for providing interpretation and translation to clients. Incumbent must be certified and proficient and able to provide certification to perform duty. Certification must be obtained within six (6) months of the appointment.

Degrees must be obtained 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), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES‑approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/

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 [e-mail]. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360‑664‑1960.

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, the 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(the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible.

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.

2026-09050