Ombuds

State of Washington; Washington; Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical,Dental,Vision,Life Insurance

12 paid holidays, 14 vacation days, 12

State retirement programs

Job summary

The Washington State Office of the Family and Children's Ombuds (OFCO) seeks a qualified professional to independently manage a caseload, analyze complex investigations, and contribute to statewide policy recommendations. The role involves cross-agency meetings, outreach, and trainings to improve child welfare outcomes.

You will maintain confidentiality, conduct regulatory research, and participate in reviews of child fatalities and community engagement while advancing equity and effective

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Child welfare knowledge

Legal/regulatory interpretation

Ombuds principles

Investigation skills

Equity awareness

Stakeholder communication

Accountability

Decision making

Continuous learning

Customer service

Education

Social work/public policy/public administration

Ombuds experience

Job description

Please note: 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.

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.

Please visit our Recruitment site for a full list of employee benefits. Here’s a glance at some of the unique benefits that ORIA offers:

• 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

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.