Court Program Specialist

Support meaningful access to justice in Washington’s Courts by joining the Equity and Access Program at the Administrative Office of the Courts. Our team works to ensure courts can better serve self-represented litigants and communities that have been historically marginalized or excluded from our justice system. If you are passionate about equity and committed to making systems work better for real people, this position may be a great fit for you.

We are seeking a Court Program Specialist to engage court users and lived-experience experts, support outreach efforts, and improve resources for Washington courts. You’ll be part of a close, collaborative team within the Office of Court Innovation, working alongside policy analysts who are dedicated to improving access to justice statewide. In this role, you’ll take initiative, coordinate activities with compassion and professionalism, and help move projects forward that make a difference for court users every day.

Your work will include gathering feedback from community members, assisting with education and training efforts, supporting the development of court and self-help resources, and participating in data improvement projects. You’ll also assist with managing listservs, maintaining SharePoint content, and coordinating meetings, events, and programs. This position requires learning and navigating AOC policies and processes and building strong working relationships with teams across the agency, from finance and travel to facilities and web services.

We are looking for someone who is organized, communicative, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing many moving pieces. Strong writing, time management, and proficiency with virtual meeting platforms and Microsoft 365 are essential. Just as important is someone with a genuine interest in equity and a commitment to making justice accessible for everyone in our court system.

Washington Courts Employment Opportunity Administrative Office of the Courts COURT PROGRAM SPECIALIST Equity and Access Program

Our Mission: To advance the timely, effective, and equitable operations of the Washington State judicial branch.

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is looking for top-performing employees who embody its core values integrity, inclusion, accountability, and teamwork. It is committed to both employee growth and work-life balance.

Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace.

POSITION DETAILS

Job #: 2026-42

Status: Regular, Part-Time (25 – 30 hours per week)

Location: Olympia, Washington

Salary: Range 59: $42,495 - $66,987 per year (DOQ)

Opens: May 21, 2026

Closes: June 14, 2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. AOC reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time but no sooner than seven calendar days after posting.

WASHINGTON STATE RESIDENCY AND TELEWORK INFORMATION

AOC requires employees to reside in Washington State. Any exceptions must be approved. If you are invited to an interview and currently reside outside of Washington State, seek more information about residency requirements from the AOC hiring manager for this recruitment.

This position requires you to be in the office at least two (2) days per week.

Duties

Some of the duties you will perform:

• Support the Equity and Access team in developing, managing, coordinating, and promoting resources and training related to improving access to the courts for self-represented litigants.
• Support Equity and Access program goals by gathering court user/lived experience expert feedback and improving data collection and evaluation related to self-represented litigants.

• Support and facilitate lived experience expert advisory efforts. Recruit participants, host meetings, organize events, facilitate feedback conversations, connect with outside stakeholder organizations and courts.

• Assist with communication and outreach to court stakeholders and the public about the work of the Equity and Access Program. This includes updating and maintaining multiple listservs and information on program webpages.
• Conduct research and information gathering and prepare reports or memos.
• Help develop and streamline internal business processes to allow for maximum effectiveness and efficiency of program implementation.
• Coordinate submission and review of invoices and travel expense vouchers for team projects and events. May provide monitoring and oversight of program budgets.
• Assist in developing and implementing program policies, standards, guidelines, and expectations; assists in monitoring program compliance with internal AOC program policies, standards, and guidelines.
• Coordinate logistics for events, meetings, and training. Specific tasks include scheduling (virtual and in-person), managing registration, securing meeting facilities, applying for continuing education credits, arranging catering and other vendors, hosting the technology for virtual and hybrid meetings, preparing meeting materials, and taking attendance and meeting minutes.
• Respond to requests for information from court system stakeholders, other partners, and the public.
• Work closely with Equity and Access Program Supervisor to coordinate administration of the team, including scheduling team meetings, creating and updating team documents, ordering supplies, developing and updating administrative processes.
• Perform other duties as required.

Salary

• $42,495 - $66,987/year

Qualifications

• Associate of Arts degree in business or a related field;

AND

• Four (4) years of administrative program support experience.

Relevant experience may substitute for the required education.

Other Information

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again. Studies have shown that women, people of color, and people with disabilities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Administrative Office of the Courts, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the candidate needed for this or other roles.

For more information about the position, to review the job description, application submission requirements, supplemental questions, inquire about benefits, or to apply for the position CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• The workweek may fluctuate depending on workload or agency needs.
• Overnight travel may be required based on business needs.
• This position may be overtime eligible.

The AOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, pregnancy, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, physical, mental or sensory disability (actual or perceived), use of a service animal, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, age, HIV or Hepatitis C status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law. Persons of disability needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, please contact the AOC Human Resource Office, at (360) 705-5337, or fax (360) 586-4409, or via email to Recruitment@courts.wa.gov.

Candidates who are offered a job with AOC must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

AOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal government eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identify and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements for that form.

AOC does not use E-verify; therefore we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

SPECIAL NOTE: Before 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 job.

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, 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.

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 01-07-2026