Legal Liaison (WMS2) - Kent

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: Legal Liaison (WMS2) - Kent

Location: Kent, WA (hybrid telework schedule available)

Closes: 7/16/25

Salary: $97,920 - $122,400 Annually

This Legal Liaison plays a vital role in advancing outcomes for children, youth, and families involved in Washington State’s child welfare system, particularly those affected by the opioid use disorder crisis. This position is focused on improving DCYF’s support for dependency court proceedings through expert legal guidance, strategic collaboration, and leadership in statewide legal liaison activities. This position will assist DCYF Child Welfare caseworkers involved in court cases by collaborating closely with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) in preparing child abuse and neglect proceedings. This collaboration ensures alignment with the agency’s overarching legal framework, regulatory requirements, and mission, as well as its values and guiding principles. Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of children in your community? Apply today.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
This position is focused on improving DCYF’s support for dependency court proceedings through expert legal guidance, strategic collaboration, and leadership in statewide legal liaison activities. The Legal Liaison serves as a key resource to DCYF caseworkers navigating child abuse and neglect court cases. This role also collaborates closely with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), providing legal support for court preparation, enhancing legal sufficiency, and strengthening attorney-client relationships. This position also supports alignment between agency leadership and state-level legal strategies, ensuring compliance with the agency’s legal framework, values, and mission. The Legal Liaison holds significant importance within DCYF’s Program, Field & Tribal Legal Supports Office. This position enhances court experiences for DCYF caseworkers by improving their court readiness and strengthening relationships with dependency court partners.

The incumbent will play a key role in shaping and implementing policies and procedures for the Program, Field & Tribal Legal Supports Office. In close coordination with the AGO, they will provide expert guidance and legal support to Child Welfare caseworkers and leadership. This position also provides effective planning, alignment, and oversight of legal Liaison functions across the Program, Field & Tribal Legal Supports Office.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Provide expert legal guidance and advice to the Child Welfare staff and leadership, and other key members of the leadership team, on legal and risk management issues impacting the agency.
• Deliver legal training and consultation to Child Welfare staff and leadership, improving consistency and confidence in legal proceedings.
• Facilitate, coordinate, and provide legal support for Child Welfare staff, collaborating closely with partners of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to address agency needs related to advice requests, preparation for dependency hearings, and other identified legal support areas.
• Develop and implement regional court support systems, ensuring alignment with statewide strategies and priorities.
• Work directly with caseworkers to support them in their preparation for dependency proceedings.
• Serve as a member in various leadership teams and workgroups, providing legal guidance to fellow administrators.
• Contribute to the development of comprehensive regional court support systems, aligning them with agency-wide legal court support strategies to ensure support for caseworkers in the legal process.
• Contribute to the ideas and recommendations for training, policy, and programmatic changes aimed at enhancing dependency case preparation and addressing other legal matters.
• Collaborate and coordinate with legal counsel as well as with the AGO and external court partners in developing and providing support for caseworkers.
• Partner with DCYF Information Technology, Office of Innovation Alignment and Accountability, and the Enterprise Risk Management Office to provide legal support for Child Welfare staff and leadership.
• Supervise and support Legal Liaison Support Specialist staff.

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications):

• Equivalent education and experience totaling nine (9) years of progressively responsible, paid, professional experience in law or related fields, child welfare, social service, or related fields.

OR

• Master’s degree in business or public administration or Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), or closely allied field from AND Five (5) years progressively responsible, paid, professional experience in law, child welfare, social service, or related fields.

AND

• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful workplace principles.

This position also requires the candidate to possess these competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of juvenile court proceedings and child welfare laws.
• Ability to supervise and direct the activities and performance of others.
• Demonstration of strong writing skills in preparing clear, comprehensive reports and documents.
• Demonstration of strong oral communication skills in group facilitation and staffing.
• Knowledge of federal and state government structures and legislative processes.
• Familiarity with the state or local government's structure, activities, and employees.
• Knowledge of training principles and techniques.

A strong commitment to:

• Improving child welfare services and outcomes for children and youth in Washington.
• Eliminating racial disparities and disproportionalities in government institutions.
• Working for and/or with public sector agencies.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD).
• Litigation experience, especially in dependency and ICWA/WICWA.
• Experience formulating and supporting legal support strategies, preferably on behalf of state agencies.
• Dispute resolution experience.
• Legal advice coordination/management experience.
• Risk Management experience.

How do I apply?

• Complete your applicant profile and attach a resume and cover letter.
• Applicants who are invited to interview will be asked to prepare a writing sample. This does not need to be attached to your application.

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 recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Degrees must be obtained from an accredited college or university whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent verified by a NACES-approved organization at naces.org. Foreign Equivalency certification must be attached to the application for degrees obtained outside the U.S.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

For more information about this position or if you need an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, please contact DCYF recruiter. 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.

04358

Salary

• $97,920 - $122,400/year

Benefits

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.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata 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.

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, are entitled to three (3) 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 12-31-2022