Pre-Licensing Administrative Assistant (AA1) - Statewide

About the Department

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.”

Attention: This position requires the ability to pass a Spanish language certification test through DCYF is required to be eligible for this position. There is an additional 5% assignment pay for dual language based on the successful completion of the Language Certification Test.
Job Title: Administrative Assistant 1 (AA1)
Location: Current office location is 800 Oakesdale Ave SW, Renton, WA 98057, but subject to change.
Flexible/Hybrid: This position is currently designated as a telework position. Telework arrangements are subject to business needs and may change. You must be willing to report to the office for monthly and/or quarterly in person meetings, IT or equipment support, etc.
Closes: Friday, August 7th, 2026
Salary:  $42,780.00 - $56,952.00

We're looking for an Administrative Assistant 1 (AA1) to join our pre-licensing team and provide administrative support to Pre-Licensing Specialists, supervisors, and the Administrator. Our ideal candidate plans independently; exercises sound judgment and takes initiative to ensure work is completed efficiently while helping the team meet its goals. If you enjoy organizing projects, coordinating multiple priorities, supporting a collaborative team, and providing excellent customer service, we encourage you to apply!

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) works alongside Washington's vulnerable children, youth, and families to foster safety, stability, and better outcomes by strengthening opportunities, connections, and community. Our vision is that all children and youth in Washington have the opportunity to grow up safe and healthy thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.  

About the Opportunity

Within DCYF, this position performs a wide variety of administrative support duties for the Child Care Pre-Licensing team, including Pre-Licensing Specialists, supervisors, and the Administrator. Responsibilities include independently planning, organizing, and prioritizing work to meet internal and external deadlines while providing administrative support that allows staff and leadership to focus on serving Washington families.

This position maintains filing systems, databases, multiple tracking logs, and computer programs; coordinates pre-licensing team operations; and initiates action to help ensure team goals are met. The Administrative Assistant exercises independent judgment to resolve administrative issues, supports statewide administrative projects, and develops or improves work methods and procedures to meet changing business needs.

This position also supports clients who primarily speak a language other than English and may have limited English proficiency. As a point of contact for the pre-licensing team, the Administrative Assistant provides bilingual oral and written interpretation and translation services to help ensure equitable access to DCYF programs and services.

Some of what you will do:

• Manage the Pre-Licensing Welcome Box and toll-free voicemail, ensuring messages are reviewed throughout the day and responded to promptly.
• Receive, screen, prioritize, distribute, and respond to telephone calls, emails, and other communications using independent judgment to determine priority.
• Answer inquiries from the public, childcare applicants, and childcare providers regarding the licensing and orientation process; provide pre-licensing information and refer complex or technical questions to the appropriate Pre-Licensing Specialist, Supervisor, or Administrator.
• Provide bilingual interpretation and translation services, as needed, to assist clients with limited English proficiency and ensure equitable access to services.
• Coordinate communication between the pre-licensing team, State Office, community partners, applicants, and providers.
• Maintain appointment schedules and calendars, arrange meetings, attend team meetings as assigned, and prepare meeting minutes.
• Coordinate pre-licensing team activities and schedules; develop and recommend team procedures and systems to support efficient team operations.
• Assist in establishing team procedures and standards to ensure adherence to DCYF policies and procedures.
• Research and analyze routine administrative projects, prepare first draft reports, and review and summarize reports and other documents.
• Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and conferences as requested.
• Copy, distribute, and disseminate materials in support of team operations.
• Maintain inventories of office supplies for the Pre-Licensing team and request supplies as needed.
• Assist with onboarding, orienting, and training new team members.
• Assist Spanish-speaking clients with interviewing, documenting, and obtaining statements related to licensing services.

Required Qualifications:  

• High school graduation (or GED) AND One (1) years of office experience requiring keyboarding or typing.

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling one (1) year of office/clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative work.

AND 

1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
2. 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:

• 3+ years of office/clerical, secretarial, bookkeeping, accounting, or general administrative work.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately type at a net speed of 50 words per minute or faster.
• Demonstrated exemplary customer service skills, including working effectively with the public and agency staff, both in person and over the telephone.
• Demonstrated ability to use creative and innovative techniques for performing assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to take meeting notes/minutes that capture key messages.
• Demonstrated detail orientated and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated competency in formatting business correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to demonstrate basic mathematical computations, accounting, and recordkeeping.
• Demonstrated superior organization skills and dedication to completing work and assigned projects in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications and systems related to the work such as Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve office administrative procedural problems.
• Demonstrated ability to perform basic research and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to organize own work, coordinating projects, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction. 
• Demonstrated ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established policy and procedural
  guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, superiors, the general public, representatives of public and private organizations and others sufficient to exchange or convey information.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside the workplace.

How do I apply? 
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following document(s) to your profile to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter
• Resume (current/updated) 

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.

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.

2026-05878

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