Benefit Specialist 4 - Leave and Care Employer Support Supervisor: Olympia/Telework - Internal Only

About the Department

This position is open to current internal ESD employees only.

This position will be eligible for teleworking full-time but may have to come into the Olympia office infrequently due to business needs.

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record of leading and mentoring teams with a dynamic and inclusive approach. They will exhibit exceptional communication skills and a natural flair for fostering strong interpersonal relationships. The ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations, manage workplace stress with grace, and maintain a positive outlook in the face of obstacles is paramount. This individual will demonstrate robust competency in strategic planning, efficient scheduling, and meticulous reporting.

As an Employer Support Supervisor (ESBS4), you will provide leadership to the Leave and Care Employer Support Team within the Employer Services Unit of the Insurance Services Division. The team plays a vital role in supporting employers, employer agents, and elective coverage customers in meeting their legal obligations under the Paid Family and Medical Leave and WA Cares programs. Through this support the Employer Support Supervisor directly contributes to safeguarding public resources and maintaining the integrity of the PFML and WA Cares trust funds, ensuring these programs remain sustainably funded and able to deliver essential benefits to Washingtonians. 

Position Duties

As an Employer Support Supervisor (ESBS4) in the Insurance Services Division, you will be relied upon to supervise unit activities including task assignment, deadline setting, and performance monitoring. Managing personnel functions including recruitment, onboarding, leave/time approvals, and disciplinary actions. Adjusting workloads and phone schedules as necessary to meet service goals and agency priorities. And deliver on-the-job training and foster a learning culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.

Some of your daily tasks might include but not limited to:

• Provide policy and procedure guidance to staff to ensure accurate delivery of PFML and WA Cares services.

• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to support staff development.

• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the team and agency.

• Ensure resources and tools are available to meet operational expectations.

• Develop and refine operational tools and techniques for reporting and enforcement.

• Investigate and resolve escalated employer issues; ensure proper documentation and resolution.

• Respond to complex inquiries from employers and representatives with accurate, policy-aligned information.

• Review casework for accuracy and compliance with applicable laws and policies.

• Offer technical assistance to support effective administration of federal and state programs.

• Collaborate across teams to ensure employer support is integrated into project planning.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

Note - All options below MUST include: One (1) year of supervisory experience.

Option 1: Seven (7) years of equivalent education/experience.

Option 2: One (1) year as an ES Benefits Specialist 3.

Option 3: One (1) year of experience equivalent to the ES Benefits Specialist 3 with another state that administers insurance benefits programs.

Option 4: Associate's degree in health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND Five (5) years of the required experience below.

Option 5: Bachelor’s Degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND Three (3) years of the required experience below.

Option 6: Master’s Degree in a health, social science, public administration, business administration, accounting, law, or a related field AND Two (2) years of the required experience below.

The required experience includes: 

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Leadership & Operational Excellence Competences:  

Contact Center Leadership: 

Quality and Data Management: 

Technology:  

Ability to learn, understand, and effectively use technologies required for business needs, including:  

Communications:  

Excellent written and oral communication tailored to diverse audiences, including:  

Required equity competencies:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Please submit ONLY the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII), such as Social Security numbers etc., are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you NOT include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

Please submit ONLY your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.  

Other Qualifications

Why work with us?

Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
 

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Lydia White or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact [email protected] or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

**This Organization Participates in E-Verify**

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

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov