CQI​/QA Lead Specialist; CS-Olympia

Job Title: CQI/QA Lead Specialist (CS4)

Internal Notice: This position is open to current DCYF employees only.

Location: Olympia, WA. Requires travel throughout the state; some in‑state and out‑of‑state travel is required. Eligible for telework with periodic in‑person meetings.

Closing Date: Monday, July 13th, 2026

Salary: $71,136 – $95,676 per year.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) seeks a Commerce Specialist 4 to serve as the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)/Quality Assurance (QA) Lead Specialist for the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP). The role advances DCYF’s mission of fostering safety, stability, and better outcomes for Washington’s vulnerable children, youth, and families.

As ECEAP Lead CQI/QA Specialist, you will be the highest technical specialist within ECEAP, leading the implementation of CQI and QA systems and tiered support for contractors. You will supervise a team of CQI Specialists, represent ECEAP across the state, and guide contractor compliance and improvement.

• Set program priorities and objectives; lead statewide CQI, QA, policy development, and strategic initiatives for ECEAP.
• Supervise, hire, train, evaluate, and provide ongoing leadership to the CQI/QA team, planning work of up to six specialists.
• Lead team meetings, staff development, and resolve complex issues involving staff, contractors, and programs.
• Develop and maintain monitoring policies, procedures, tools, compliance matrices, and long‑range strategies.
• Monitor contractor compliance through desktop reviews, monitoring calls, onsite visits, corrective action plans, and technical assistance.
• Build contractor capacity by providing consultation, onboarding, training, and continuous improvement support.
• Collaborate internally and externally, convene work groups, gather stakeholder feedback, and represent ECEAP at meetings and conferences.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, presentations, and training materials for division leadership, elected officials, contractors, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
• Advise leadership on policy, implementation, and quality improvement initiatives to support statewide planning and decision‑making.
• Track contractor waivers and variances; support communication, monitoring schedules, and statewide implementation efforts.
• Participate in onsite monitoring visits and travel statewide as needed.

• Educational requirement:
  Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, business administration, or political science.
• Professional experience:
  Eight (8) years at management level in early childhood education, child development, early learning, publicly funded preschool programming, government contracting, audit, compliance, or closely related fields; or four (4) years at management level with the same focus plus three (3) years of performance management/employee supervision experience.
• Minimum one (1) year of supervisory experience leading subordinates.
• Ability to learn, grow, and meet the needs of others.
• Valid driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience.

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, veteran or military status, or any sensory, mental, or physical disability. DCYF encourages a diverse and equitable workplace.

Submit an online application and attach a cover letter (addressing how you meet the qualifications) and a resume.

Employees receive competitive health, retirement, and leave benefits, including medical, vision, dental, basic life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and eligibility for the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System. Additional benefits include paid holidays, sick leave, vacation, and various leave options. Specific benefit details are provided upon hiring.