Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."
Job Title: Assistant Secretary – Juvenile Rehabilitation
Location: Headquarters-based out of Olympia, WA, with statewide oversight. Regular travel is required. Telework options are available with expectations for in-person leadership presence.
Posting Timeframe- This recruitment will remain open until filled, with the first review taking place on July 9th, 2025. Submit your application materials as soon as possible as this recruitment may be closed at any time.
Salary: $119,856 - $194,772 Annually– Compensation will be based on qualifications and experience.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking an Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) to serve as a strategic, visionary, and operational leader in transforming Washington state's juvenile justice continuum. Reporting directly to the Chief Programming Officer and serving as one of five Assistant Secretaries within DCYF, this leader will oversee all aspects of the Juvenile Rehabilitation system—providing care, custody, and treatment to youth committed by county courts.
With direct oversight of a $180 million operating budget, 1,100 staff, and more than 800 young people annually, the Assistant Secretary plays a critical role in achieving the agency’s mission of ensuring children and youth grow up safe and healthy—nurtured by family and community.
The Opportunity:
As the senior executive responsible for DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation services, the Assistant Secretary will lead a multi-faceted statewide system that includes three secure institutions, eight community facilities, community reentry and parole, and youth programming grounded in racial equity, restorative justice, and trauma-informed care.
This position offers a rare opportunity to shape statewide juvenile justice policy, lead large-scale systems reform, and work alongside families, tribes, courts, law enforcement, community partners, and advocates to improve outcomes for justice-involved youth.
This role is responsible for creating a robust culture that supports safety and rehabilitation for young people involved with juvenile rehabilitation. We are seeking a visionary leader to continue the transformational change Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation has already started and build on current successes and areas of opportunity.Some of What You Will Get to Do:
Strategic Vision & Policy Development:
- Establish rehabilitation policies and practices.
- Drive continuous improvement through data-informed decision-making.
- Continuously evaluate whether bed capacity meets short- and long-term needs.
- Help develop the annual legislative agenda.
- Develop and implement long-term strategies to reduce juvenile reincarceration and recidivism, including promoting the use of least restrictive alternatives to incarceration for young people, while balancing risk to the community.
- Generate annual priorities and a multi-year strategic plan to create a common framework for staff and management to execute.
Operational Oversight:
- Establish and maintain safe, secure operations across all facilities.
- Provide leadership and direction to juvenile rehabilitation employees.
- Monitor program goals, performance metrics, and quality standards.
Programming & Service Delivery:
- Implement trauma-informed and healing-centered care approaches
- Strengthen educational programs for juvenile rehabilitation involved young people.
- Continue to expand services.
- Develop innovative approaches to parole and community reintegration.
- Utilize a clear behavior management system based on restorative justice practices
Collaborative Leadership:
- Set clear expectations and expect excellence from JR leadership at all levels.
- Partner with key stakeholders including juvenile court administrators, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.
- Coordinate with tribal governments, state agencies, and community organizations.
- Advise policymakers.
- Represent the agency.
- Build effective working relationships with labor partners.
- Communicate effectively and transparently about the mission of juvenile rehabilitation.
Equity & Inclusion Leadership:
- Analyze and address racial and ethnic disparities.
- Build a diverse workforce.
- Ensure the provision of culturally responsive programming.
What we're looking for (Required Qualifications):
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in social services, public administration, public policy, or an allied field from a college or university. Degree requirement may be substituted with an additional four (4) years of professional experience within a social service or public administration setting.
AND
- Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public administration.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in managing complex programs.
- Five (5) years of experience of supervisory responsibility, including managing supervisors.
- Experience managing therapeutic environments and programs including but not limited to juvenile and young adult rehabilitation programs, treatment facilities, correctional institutions or other 24/7 facilities.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.
in addition to what's required above our ideal candidate would also have:
- A Master Degree in public or business administration, social work, or a closely related field.
- Experience managing juvenile rehabilitation programs.
How Do I Apply?
To be considered, please submit the following:
- Cover Letter detailing your leadership experience and passion for juvenile justice transformation
- Updated Resume
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 mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.
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 position requires a minimum of two years of driving experience and a valid driver’s license.
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Steven Loduha (Talent Acquisition Manager) at steven.loduha@dcyf.wa.gov If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
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.