Policy Director

About us:
The Office of the State Treasurer (OST) is the financial hub for Washington State government, serving as its bank and trusted fiscal steward. We provide banking, investment, debt issuance, and accounting services to state agencies, while also partnering with local governments to deliver essential financial solutions. Our team of about 70 dedicated professionals works every day to strengthen public trust through responsible financial management, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

Opportunity:
Work directly with the Treasurer and OST leadership to build a top tier state policy program focused on our state’s finances and economy, and on lowering the cost of living for working families and retirees. This includes advancing innovative, forward-thinking initiatives that boost rural and urban economies, promote sound fiscal practices to maintain our State’s financial strength, tackle systemic economic inequality, and empower the next generation to navigate an increasingly complicated financial landscape.

Successful candidates will be self-starters, motivated, creative, hardworking, and have a proven track record of working collaboratively to tackle complex policy issues. Our office touches a broad range of policy topics, from generational wealth inequality to corporate governance and transparency, affordable housing to retirement savings. This position will interface with governmental and organizational policy counterparts across Washington state; other State Treasurers' offices, nationally; our federal congressional delegation; and local and national stakeholders. The Treasurer also serves on a range of state boards and commissions, creating additional policy analysis opportunities. The Policy Director will be tasked with identifying opportunities to develop and advance policy proposals through both the legislative arena and these boards and commissions. Experience with navigating, analyzing, and explaining state budgets is preferred.

As a Policy Director, you will collaboratively contribute to the work of the OST team that spans legislative, policy, communications, and external affairs. This is an opportunity to work on challenging and innovative policy with a team of supportive colleagues.

Duties

You will be responsible for developing and leading a policy program to advance OST policy initiatives and goals. Your colleagues will entrust you to:

• Conduct high level policy research and analysis. Research may include but is not limited to the review of existing laws and literature, and consulting with experts.
• Assist in tracking legislation and providing insights and analysis to the Treasurer, Legislative Director, and team.
• Represent OST in some state and national financial officer professional organizations’ meetings and conferences, including the National Association of State Treasurers, and brief the Treasurer and Chief of Staff.
• Work with internal and external partners, including other governmental agencies, to facilitate meetings and research studies to achieve policy goals and objectives.
• Monitor and analyze the Washington State Capital, Transportation, and Operating budgets and assess alignment with agency budget recommendations.
• Draft legislation, amendments, reports, and briefings.
• Monitor state and national publications for new policy innovations and brief the Treasurer and Chief of Staff on viability of those concepts as applied in Washington state.
• Manage a variety of projects from inception to completion, including scope and schedule development, stakeholder engagement, and determining implementation priorities with partners.
• Incorporate policy feedback from external organizations and stakeholders into policy development.
• Provide policy support to the Treasurer, Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and other key agency leaders.

Salary

• $133,000 - $153,000/year

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in public policy, political science, law, public administration, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and significant professional experience in policy, government, or legal
• Excellent research, writing, oral presentation, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the law-making process, program administration, and policy development process
• Knowledge of and direct experience in navigating and analyzing state budgets
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams
• Knowledge of fiscal or economic policy

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience conducting research, preparing policy briefs, public presentations, and high-level reports for audiences from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Proven ability to take action to meet the needs of others by centering relationships, responding with empathy, and aligning resources to support success and equity

Throughout our selection processes, we will also evaluate candidates for knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviors and capacity for effective leadership that aligns with our agency culture.

We’re committed to finding the best candidate for this role, and we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. If you have transferable skills or related experience, please highlight them in your application package. You’re also welcome to contact us with questions about the qualifications and how your background may align.

Other Information

How to apply:
In addition to completing the online profile at careers.wa.gov, applicants must attach to their profile a current resume and a letter of interest aligning your interest and experience to applicable qualifications.

A background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the candidates' suitability and competence to perform in the position.

This announcement will remain open until it is filled. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Candidates are encouraged to come forward as early as possible as the OST reserves the right to make an appointment at any time during this employment announcement.

Benefits:
Washington State offers a competitive benefits package. Beyond the traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance and retirement benefits, we offer flex spending accounts, dependent care assistance, deferred compensation, 12 paid holidays, paid vacation, and sick leave. Click on the “Benefits” tab near the top of the page to learn more.

Our hybrid schedule approach gives you the best of both worlds: remote work with regular in-person collaboration. Employees come onsite at least twice a month, with a little extra time spent in the office when you start to help you settle in. After that, schedules are tailored to fit the role, work styles, and position requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC):
OST is an equal opportunity employer; committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. OST provides equal access and opportunity to anyone who qualifies regardless of immigration status, on the bases of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age (40 and older), disability, genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history) retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding.

Recruitment access, assistance and contact information:
For questions about this recruitment or for applicants in need of assistance during the application process, please contact Nadine Sordahl at (360) 902-8919 or via email to nadine.sordahl@tre.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

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 07-21-2025