Program Specialist 5: Veterans and Military Families Program Operator
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The State of Washington is seeking a seasoned Program Specialist 5 – Veterans and Military Families Program Operator to lead policy, workforce development, and program operations for veterans across WA. The role requires strategic leadership, deep knowledge of legislation, and the ability to translate complex rules into human-centered services.
You will oversee statewide performance, compliance, budgeting, reporting, and staff development, guiding cross-division initiatives and multi‑partner
Qualifications
- Experience translating policy into actionable processes and workflows.
- Strong knowledge of WIOA and workforce development systems.
- Ability to manage budgets, reporting, and compliance across programs.
- Leadership experience supervising staff and guiding cross-division initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Serve as statewide expert and principal advisor for Veterans and Military Family Programs within the WSD.
- Ensure program quality and performance, including monitoring reviews and reporting requirements.
- Lead program management for multiple concurrent projects and coordinate cross-division timelines.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Come join our team and make a positive difference for Washington’s veterans and their families!
This position is mainly virtual but may be required to come into the office for occasional training and meetings as requested.
The ideal candidate for the Program Specialist 5 – Veterans and Military Families Program Operator role is a seasoned, strategic leader who brings deep expertise in workforce development and a strong commitment to serving veterans and military families.
They are committed to excellent service for veterans and military families, resulting in strong employment outcomes for our customers. They excel at navigating complex federal and state program requirements, interpreting legislation, and shaping statewide operational strategies that strengthen customer outcomes. They are recognized as a subject-matter expert who can translate policy into clear, human-centered processes that improve service delivery, enhance performance metrics, and ensure compliance across Washington’s workforce system.
This candidate thrives in environments where collaboration, coordination, and high-level problem-solving are essential. They are skilled at building statewide consistency through standard operating procedures, developing comprehensive training frameworks, and guiding staff and partners through policy changes and labor market shifts. They are an effective communicator who can lead multi-partner coalitions, facilitate complex discussions, and provide advanced technical assistance to resolve sensitive program barriers. Their ability to integrate WIOA principles, align cross-division initiatives, and manage corrective action plans demonstrates both operational sophistication and strategic foresight.
The ideal candidate is also an experienced program manager who brings strong analytical, supervisory, and fiscal stewardship skills. They are adept at interpreting data trends, designing reporting mechanisms, and ensuring that expenditures meet strict federal and state requirements. They lead with accountability, equity, and inclusiveness—mentoring staff, shaping long-range program objectives, and representing Washington’s Veterans programs with professionalism at the state, regional, and national levels. Their blend of policy expertise, leadership capability, and commitment to veteran-focused service makes them a trusted architect of statewide program excellence.
- Serve As The Recognized Statewide Expert And Principal Advisor For Veterans And Military Family Programs Within The Workforce Services Division (WSD). This Includes
- Promote human-centered service and continuous improvement to ensure veterans and military families receive excellent service that result in continuous improvement to customer outcomes including employment and earnings.
- Serve as the recognized statewide expert for Veterans programs and an advanced resource across other aligned Workforce Services Division (WSD) initiatives.
- Research and analyze federal and state legislation to provide strategic operational options and recommendations to agency leadership.
- Serve as the principal authority for statewide program performance, compliance, and strategic alignment of Veterans workforce programs. This includes
- Assure statewide program quality and performance for the Veterans programs, including the internal controls and documentation necessary to pass state and/or DOL monitoring reviews, complete annual funding application, and complete all required federal and state reports and requirements.
- Provide a comprehensive understanding of WIOA and Washington's workforce development service system particularly as it relates to the Veterans programs including how the program interacts with and affects other workforce development programs, key partners and internal agency divisions.
- Interpret and administer complex policies, state laws, and federal regulations regarding the Veterans’ programs and workforce development environment impacting outside service networks and regional council.
- Serve as the Lead Program Manager for Veterans Programs. This includes
- Direct and coordinate multiple concurrent projects for the Veterans programs and strategic initiative timelines for the Veterans programs across varied agency divisions and external entities.
- Establish a unified communication protocol and centralized document bank for the Veterans’ programs, to align field staff on policy revisions and labor market shifts that affect Veterans’ programs.
- Develop and facilitate comprehensive training architecture, coordinating with internal and external teams to deliver real-time professional development modules for the Veterans programs.
- 8 years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.
- OR Associate’s degree and 6 years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.
- OR Bachelor’s Degree and 4 years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.
- OR Master’s Degree and 2 years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and supervisory experience.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Advisory Expertise: Proficiency in delivering targeted technical support; Collaboration Skills: Ability to work closely with clients to refine program activities.
- Policy Coordination Skills: Proficiency in aligning organization programs with external entities.
- Analytical Skills: Proficiency in designing research studies and reporting systems; Technical Expertise: Ability to analyze data and deliver technical reports effectively.
- Reporting Expertise: Ability to create detailed and clear program documentation.
- Budget Management Expertise: Proficiency in drafting budget proposals and addressing financial issues.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Political Science, Business Management, Human Resources, or a closely matching discipline.
- Curriculum Design: Demonstrated experience with the development and management of eLearning Curriculum.
- System Design: One-stop operator experience.
- Selective preference will be accorded to Veterans with first priority given to qualified service-connected disabled Veterans, second to qualified eligible Veterans, and third given to qualified eligible persons as defined by Title 38, USC, Section 4101(5).
- Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.
This Organization Participates in E-Verify
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rated basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid 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.
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.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
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.
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
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