EXEMPT
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Director of Policy, Governance, and Strategic Compliance
$140,000 - $150,000
Closes August 14,2026
The Washington State Charter School Commission (Commission) seeks to fill the Director of Policy, Governance, and Strategic Compliance position. This full-time permanent exempt position is based in Olympia, Washington. During your initial onboarding training period (2 weeks) you will be required to be in the office 4 days a week. After you’ve completed your initial training, you may have the option to work from home on a flexible telework schedule. We encourage interested candidates to visit the Washington State Charter School Commission website to review the Commission’s Strategic Plan and Educational Equity Policy.
The Washington State Charter School Commission (“Commission”) is an independent state agency. Our mission is to authorize high-quality charter public schools, especially those designed to expand opportunities for students historically underserved in public education, and to ensure the highest standards of accountability and oversight. The Commission is guided by its Educational Equity Policy: we hold both a moral and legal obligation to cultivate schools where socio-economic status, race, gender, language, sexual orientation, national origin, and disability do not predict academic or life outcomes. Educational equity benefits all students and strengthens communities.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the Washington State Charter School Commission website to review the Commission’s Strategic Plan and Educational Equity Policy.
MISSION
To authorize high-quality charter public schools and provide effective oversight and transparent accountability to improve educational outcomes for at-risk students.
VISION
Foster innovation and ensure excellence so that every student has access to and thrives in a high-quality public school.
Position Overview
The Washington State Charter School Commission seeks a strategic, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused Director of Policy, Governance & Strategic Compliance to strengthen the agency's policy development, governance practices, contract administration, regulatory coordination, and organizational risk management capacity.
The Commission operates within a complex public accountability environment requiring sound governance, transparent decision-making, effective oversight, and strong administrative systems. Through charter contracts, oversight decisions, corrective action processes, renewals, relocations, closures, rulemaking, public records, and public meetings requirements, the agency must consistently balance innovation, accountability, equity, and stewardship of public resources.
This position serves as the Commission's lead coordinator for policy, governance, regulatory, and legal-support functions. The role strengthens organizational consistency, improves administrative readiness, supports risk identification and response planning, and helps ensure agency processes are well-documented, transparent, and aligned with applicable laws, regulations, and Commission policies.
Core Purpose of the Role
The Director of Policy, Governance & Strategic Compliance serves in a strategic, administrative, policy, governance, and legal-coordination capacity.
The Director of Policy, Governance & Strategic Compliance will:
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Coordinate agency policy, governance, and regulatory activities
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Support consistent administration of charter contracts and oversight processes
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Strengthening internal procedures, documentation, and decision-making frameworks
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Improve organizational readiness for legal review and regulatory compliance
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Support development and implementation of agency policies and administrative rules
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Coordinate strategic engagement with the Attorney General's Office when legal review is necessary
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Promote transparent, equitable, and well-documented agency practices
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Enhance stewardship of public resources through strong governance and risk awareness
This position does not:
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Provide legal advice on behalf of the Commission
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Issue formal legal opinions
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Establish legal interpretations binding upon the agency
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Represent the Commission in litigation or legal proceedings
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Replace, supplant, or duplicate the authority of the Washington State Attorney General's Office under RCW 43.10
All legal advice, legal representation, litigation strategy, and formal legal opinions are provided through assigned Assistant Attorneys General. The position supports effective utilization of Attorney General resources by improving issue identification, documentation, coordination, and preparation of matters requiring legal review.
This Role is for You If…
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You value community wisdom and know how to integrate it into institutional practice.
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You care deeply about how power is used and are intentional about sharing it.
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Building clarity rather than control
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Translating complexity into shared understanding and aligned action
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Governance, Policy & Regulatory Coordination-
Serve as the agency's primary coordinator for governance, policy, and regulatory activities.
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Monitor statutory, regulatory, and policy developments that may affect Commission operations.
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Support development, revision, and implementation of Commission policies and procedures.
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Coordinate cross-functional review of policy proposals and governance initiatives.
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Develop decision-support tools and procedural guidance to promote consistency and transparency.
Contract Administration & Oversight Support-
Support consistent administration and implementation of charter contract provisions.
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Coordinate contract amendment, renewal, relocation, corrective action, and closure processes.
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Identify issues requiring legal review and facilitate timely coordination with assigned Assistant Attorneys General.
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Strengthen administrative documentation and recordkeeping practices.
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Promote consistency in contract administration across the Commission portfolio.
Risk Identification & Organizational Readiness-
Conduct early-stage issue identification related to oversight, governance, operational, and regulatory matters.
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Support agency leadership in evaluating risks, potential impacts, and response options.
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Develop procedural frameworks and administrative safeguards that promote consistency and accountability.
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Coordinate documentation and preparation of matters requiring legal or regulatory review.
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Track recurring organizational risks and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
Rulemaking & Administrative Procedure Support
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Coordinate internal review of rulemaking and policy materials.
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Support compliance with the Washington Administrative Procedure Act.
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Facilitate collaboration among staff, leadership, stakeholders, and legal counsel during rulemaking processes.
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Maintain documentation supporting administrative rule development and implementation.
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Promote consistency between Commission policies, administrative rules, and operational practices.
Public Accountability & Agency Operations-
Support agency compliance efforts related to public records, open public meetings, ethics, contracting, and procurement requirements.
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Assist in preparation of Commission materials that are well-documented, procedurally aligned, and prepared for legal review when appropriate.
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Promote strong administrative recordkeeping practices.
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Support agency transparency and accountability initiatives.
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Assist leadership in maintaining governance systems that support public trust.
Attorney General Coordination & Legal Resource Stewardship-
Serve as the primary coordinator for Attorney General engagement.
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Prepare and organize matters for legal review to support efficient use of Attorney General resources.
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Coordinate requests for legal review, legal guidance, and litigation support.
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Track legal-support requests and identify opportunities for process improvements.
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Promote proactive issue identification and preparation to improve organizational readiness.
Required Qualifications
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Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
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Experience in public administration, public policy, governance, regulatory affairs, contract administration, education systems, or related fields.
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Experience working with complex regulatory frameworks and public accountability systems.
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Demonstrated experience supporting policy development, governance, compliance, or risk-management initiatives.
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Ability to translate complex legal, regulatory, and policy concepts into practical operational guidance.
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Experience collaborating with attorneys, regulators, governing boards, or executive leadership teams.
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Strong relational and analytical skills to translate complexity into shared understanding and action.
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Skilled communicator and facilitator, able to guide complex decisions with empathy, clarity, and accountability.
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Must maintain residency in Washington State
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Occasional statewide travel will be required to attend commission meetings and other official business.
Preferred Experience
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Experience working within Washington State government.
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Familiarity with charter school law, public education systems, or public-sector oversight functions.
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Experience with administrative rulemaking and regulatory processes.
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Experience supporting governing boards or commissions.
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Knowledge of public records, open public meetings, procurement, ethics, and public accountability requirements.
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Demonstrated commitment to equity, transparency, and public stewardship.
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Admission to practice law in Washington State preferred but not required.
Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $140,000 - $150,000 per year and will depend upon experience, educational background, and qualifications. Washington State has a generous benefit package including health, dental, and life insurance, retirement, and an optional deferred compensation program. Please go to the following websites for benefit information; for information regarding health benefits and www.drs.wa.gov for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director of the Charter School Commission and is Civil Service Exempt. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format:
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A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
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A current résumé, and;
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A list of three or more professional references.
NOTE: Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar,
Human Resources
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504-7200
360-725-6278:
[email protected]
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the OSPI Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail
[email protected].
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Washington State Charter School Commission (“Commission”) is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. The Commission provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process” section of this job announcement.
