Workforce Evaluator (MA5) - Olympia

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.”

Job Title: Workforce Evaluator (MA5) Location: Olympia, WA - This position is flexible/hybrid and can be done remotely; however, occasional travel may be required to attend in-person meetings in Western Washington. Closes: Sunday, October 25th, 2026 Salary: $78,504 - $105,612 Annually.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is accepting applications for a Workforce Evaluator to join a team of expert evaluators and researchers. This position sits within the Early Learning Evaluation and Research section of the Office of Innovation, Alignment, and Accountability (OIAA) and collaborates closely with the Early Learning Division to support workforce initiatives. The Evaluation and Research section is comprised of highly engaged staff committed to strengthening DCYF services and reducing systemic inequities. The role offers flexible, primarily hybrid work with occasional in-person meetings in Western Washington. The ideal candidate brings strong methodological expertise, excellent interpersonal skills, and content knowledge or interest in the early learning workforce.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:As a Workforce Evaluator, you will conduct rigorous evaluation of DCYF workforce development across service areas, with an initial focus on the early learning workforce. You will work both independently and collaboratively to design and manage program evaluation studies, assess the effectiveness of workforce interventions—including those related to recent legislation supporting workforce stability—and produce findings that inform statewide policy and practice. Responsibilities include identifying indicators and data sources, conducting complex statistical analyses, maintaining knowledge of relevant policies and protocols, and producing clear reports and recommendations for DCYF leadership, the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and other stakeholders. This role requires expert-level evaluation and data analysis skills and the ability to communicate results to technical and non-technical audiences. It also contributes to OIAA’s broader work by generating research, statistical insights, and budget-related information that guide workforce development efforts.

Some of what you will get to do:• Plans and manages research to evaluate the needs, characteristics, and professional development of the workforce serving DCYF children and families.

• Monitors and evaluates implementation of workforce development activities and their outcomes including impact on workforce retention, growth, and maintenance.

• Identifies barriers to participation in new and existing professional development programs and activities.

• Evaluates relationship of workforce factors to identified agency priorities (e.g., expanding Early Learning access).

• Evaluates impact of workforce factors on quality of service provision.

• Uses sound, state-of-the-art research methodology to plan and implement professional evaluation of workforce development program and activity outcomes.

• Conducts statistical or data analysis activities.

• Uses statistical analysis software (e.g., Stata) to analyze data.

• Uses current and appropriate statistical techniques in use in the social science research community.

• Prepares and presents professional, publishable reports to guide legislative and agency decisions.

• Produces final reports, conclusions, and recommendations regarding the workforce to the legislature, DCYF executive leadership, the governor, and community groups.

• Provides technical assistance and professional expertise to interpret, develop, and implement tools for ongoing process evaluation and reporting.

• Utilizes data to make recommendations and to propose appropriate, evidence-based interventions that specifically address DCYF’s policies and services.

• Is responsible for all technical findings/decisions related to the assigned research or statistical tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• A master's degree in social science, public health, or related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in study design, data analysis, and program evaluation research.

OR

• A bachelor's degree in social science, public health, or related field AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in study design, data analysis, and program evaluation research.

OR• Equivalent of nine (9) years of closely related experience including progressively responsible experience in study design, data analysis, and program evaluation research.

AND

• Demonstrated ability to design and conduct multi-modal program evaluation research using the most appropriate methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative and descriptive data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of the array of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies commonly used in the social sciences.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct statistical analysis of primary/raw data using cross-tabulation, bivariate measures of association, means testing (t-tests and ANOVA), tests of prerequisite assumptions, and multivariate linear regression.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of statistical theory including sampling, central tendency and variability (distributions), probability and inference, statistical significance and effect sizes, and the use of appropriate comparison groups in statistical analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to write literature reviews and summary evaluation research reports for general audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret program evaluation research findings, limitations, and implications and draw appropriate conclusions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research into language that is understandable to non-technical, general audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with program staff to design and conduct program evaluation research.
• Knowledge of antiracism and data equity principles and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex problems and system challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to propose new solutions or improvements to existing solutions.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:• Three (3) years of research experience in workforce development related research or graduate-level education in workforce development.

• Demonstrated ability to use a specialized statistical software package (e.g., STATA, SPSS) through the command line interface.

• Demonstrated ability to develop logic models or theories of change.

• Demonstrated ability to support practice and policy recommendations with data analysis, research findings, and other facts.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with a variety of interested parties to identify and resolve complex or sensitive issues.

• Lived experience, personal or professional, with DCYF programs or direct client service.

• Knowledge of the families served by Early Learning and the services provided to support Early Learning providers.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct process evaluation.

• Demonstrated ability to support program implementation.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and analyze large data sets.

• Knowledge of external data sources and ability to use them to inform research questions.

• Ability to support interested parties who have content expertise but limited or no research training, in developing questions that meet their needs.

• Active interest in learning and keeping analytic and related skills current.

• Knowledge of current research literature in workforce development and/or Early Learning

How do I apply? In addition to completing the online application in detail, please attach the following:• Cover Letter (describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position).

• 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 goal 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. Must successfully complete formal training courses as required by law, policy, and regional requirements within one year of their appointment.

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.This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/ Benefits eligibility for this position may be different than what’s listed in the benefits tab of this recruitment announcement. For more information on employee benefits eligibility, visit: Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB). If you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, 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 [email protected]. 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. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22, or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, the individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veterans’ Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.

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