Program Counsel/Program Administrator

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid seeks a Program Counsel/Program Administrator to oversee the Core Program, monitor contractors, and coordinate data reporting and trainings.

This hybrid, location-flexible role advances equity in civil legal aid, includes policy development and cross-provider collaboration, and involves regular meetings with stakeholders across Washington State.

Qualifications

• Direct or administrative experience in civil legal aid, public defense or related fields.
• Understanding of the impact of race, bias and discrimination on marginalized communities.
• Knowledge of courts and related law and justice systems affecting low-income people.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically in-state and out-of-state.

Responsibilities

• Monitor contractor performance and program implementation.
• Track, organize, analyze and report service data and outcomes.
• Assist with planning, coordination and delivery of trainings and events.
• Develop and maintain contracts, scopes of work, reporting tools and training materials.
• Attend meetings and represent OCLA to provider networks.
• Identify service delivery challenges and support equity commitments.

Skills

Relevant service experience

Equity understanding

Legal systems knowledge

Communication skills

Technical proficiency

Periodic travel availability

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position:Program Counsel/Program Administrator

Agency:Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid

Job Type:Permanent Full-Time

Salary:$115,000 - $120,000

Location:Washington State (location flexible; hybrid work/remote arrangements available)

Open:August 24, 2026

Close:Open until filled. Review of applications will begin on September 14, 2026.

Preferred start date: November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter

Agency

The Washington State Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) is an independent judicial branch agency. Created with an understanding that the provision of legal aid services to indigent persons is an important component of the state’s responsibility to provide for the proper and effective administration of justice, OCLA’s mission is to secure, invest and oversee the use of public funding for civil legal aid to low-income people in Washington State and to ensure accountability for public funds dedicated to the purpose.

Since 2005, OCLA has administered and overseen general civil legal aid in Washington. Today the agency also supports legal aid to victims of crime and domestic violence, children in foster care, kinship caregivers, indigent tenants facing eviction, and individuals reentering society following completion of their terms of incarceration.

Consistent with The Washington State Supreme Court’s June 4, 2020, Statement to the Legal Community, OCLA acknowledges that it and its contracted civil legal aid providers operate in a law and justice system historically grounded in racism and that time and again has administered justice differentially depending on the racial identities of those involved. OCLA was an initial subscriber to the Washington Race Equity and Justice Acknowledgments and Commitments. As outlined in its Race Equity and Justice Statement of Purpose, OCLA is committed to being an active partner in carrying out the Washington State judicial branch’s commitment to ensuring equity and justice for people and communities throughout our state.

Find out more about OCLA here

The Core Program

The Core Program supports the statewide infrastructure that ensures low-income Washingtonians can access high-quality civil legal aid. Through a series of contracts, the program funds essential legal aid services, statewide coordination, intake and referral systems, provider capacity, and innovations that improve access to justice. This includes contracts for general legal aid services, as well as contracts for infrastructural support and equity/leadership development.

Find out more about the Core Program here

Reporting to the Program Director, this position will support the administration, oversight, and continuous improvement of OCLA’s Core Program. Responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring contractor performance and program implementation, including conducting site visits, reviewing alignment with contract requirements and program standards, identifying best practices, and preparing reports and guidance.
• Tracking, organizing, analyzing, and reporting on service data, including qualitative and quantitative outcomes and communicating trends and findings.
• Assisting with the planning, coordination, and delivery of legal aid trainings, meetings, and in-person or virtual events.
• Developing and maintaining contracts, scopes of work, reporting tools, policies, and training materials.
• Attending regular meetings, workgroups, and other events as OCLA's representative to stay informed about emerging issues and approaches across the provider network.
• Identifying service delivery challenges and opportunities for improvement and supporting accountability to OCLA’s and contractors’ race equity commitments.

This position will also perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director, the OCLA Director, or the OCLA Director's designee. The position may work in consultation with other OCLA program staff, as needed, to support cross-program operations.

Required Qualifications

This position may be filled by an attorney or a non-attorney professional with substantial experience in civil legal aid, public program administration, contract oversight, or related systems work.

1. Relevant Service Experience: Direct or administrative experience in civil legal aid, public defense, legal advocacy, social services, or other fields supporting low-income or underserved individuals and communities.
2. Equity Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of the impact of race, bias, discrimination, and differential treatment on marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S or other sexual minorities, individuals with disabilities, immigrants, limited English-speaking persons, and others historically marginalized.
3. Legal Systems Knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of courts, court systems, administrative, and related law and justice systems that affect low-income people.
4. Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Technical Proficiency: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
6. Periodic Travel Availability:Ability and willingness to periodically travel both in-state and out-of-state for work-related events.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting or representing low-income individuals and navigating legal or public systems.
• Familiarity with non-profit organizations, including management, governance, and operations.
  • Experience managing contracts or grants,reporting requirements or contractor performance.
  • Experience reviewing and analyzing qualitative and quantitative information, including summarizing findings and identifying trends or patterns.
• Knowledge of Washington's civil legal aid system or familiarity with the legal aid system in another state.
• Familiarity with intake systems and client screening processes.