Ombuds

State of Washington; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Ins.

Paid holidays and vacation

State retirement programs

Job summary

Washington State Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) seeks a qualified professional to independently manage a caseload in the child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation space. The role involves policy development, cross-agency collaboration, and presenting findings to stakeholders across the state.

The position offers a hybrid work arrangement with some travel for in-person meetings, a starting salary within $75,000–$95,000 annually, and opportunities for growth within OFCO’s

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation systems, including laws and policies.
• Ability to interpret complex laws and translate them into strategic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload involving complex and sensitive child welfare matters.
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate case documentation.
• Conduct policy research and participate in reviews and trainings.
• Represent the agency in statewide policy and cross-agency meetings.
• Support development of policy recommendations for reports and publications.

Skills

Policy analysis

Communication

Cross-agency collaboration

Investigations & casework

Job description

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidate’s qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $75,000 - $95,000 annually. However, there is the potential for longevity, growth, and salary progression for the individual once employed.

This role is a Hybrid position which will be primarily work from home but does have the requirement to travel for some in person meetings.

Why work for the Office of the Governor?

The Washington State Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds (OFCO) provides information for navigating the child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation systems. Additionally, OFCO investigates complaints about agency actions or conduct and intervenes to correct a violation of law or policy. Through different areas of OFCO’s work, the agency also identifies system-wide issues and recommends changes to improve outcomes for children and strengthen families. OFCO is committed to anti-racism anti-ableism, and addressing all forms of systemic marginalization in both how we work together and approach our work. We strive to create a workplace where people are treated with dignity and respect. If you share a commitment to examining how systemic inequity shape the issues we work on, including decisions we make, and value ongoing learning, this role may be for you.

The Job Opportunity

This position independently manages a caseload and represents the agency in statewide policy and cross-agency meetings. This position also contributes to the development of policy recommendations for the agency’s reports, participates in critical incidents reviews, and assists with capacity-building activities such as outreach and the creation and delivery of trainings.

What You’ll Work On

• Receive, analyze, and maintain an independent caseload for investigation involving complex and sensitive matters concerning the child protective and child welfare system.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all communications and information in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and professional standards.
• Ensure recordkeeping of accurate, timely, and confidential case documentation using the agency’s database, including case notes and client records.
• Conduct and apply legal, regulatory, and policy research to remain informed of current and emerging developments affecting the child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and related systems.
• Participate in administrative review of child fatalities and near fatalities.
• Participate in community engagement and external representation, including developing and delivering presentations, participating in community events, and representing the office at statewide policy, interagency, and cross-sector meetings.
• Support the development of policy and systems-improvement recommendations based on case trends, investigations, research, constituent concerns, and emerging issues for inclusion in the office’s reports, briefings, and other publications.
• Assist with intake activities and case triage to support the timely assessment and appropriate assignment of cases.

What We Need You To Bring

• Extensive knowledge of the child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation systems, including court processes, applicable laws, regulations, policies, and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and translate them into strategic decision-making for navigating complex casework.
• Comprehensive understanding of the independent, impartial, and neutral role of an ombuds and the principles and practices that support effective ombuds work.
• Significant experience analyzing, investigating, and resolving complex and sensitive child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation matters, with the ability to identify systemic issues and recommend meaningful improvements.
• Understanding of the disparate impacts of child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation system involvement on BIPOC youth and families, including the systemic and institutional factors that contribute to inequitable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and build productive relationships with a wide range of audiences, including youth and families, colleagues, government and system partners, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to promote accountability, manage competing priorities, and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture.
• Demonstrated ability to make well-informed decisions, navigate complex and sensitive issues, and contribute to the office’s mission, independence, and effectiveness.
• The ability to learn and grow: Curious about themselves and others, who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and areas for improvement, and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior demonstrated experience in social work, public administration, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience working in an ombuds role, preferably with experience addressing complex and sensitive constituent concerns.

Benefits

Supplemental Information

At OFCO, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

• A culture that values and strives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

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.

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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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

Parental Leave

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