Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) Olympia

Salary: $116,364.00 - $189,096.00 Annually

Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Job Number: 2025-03692

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: Office of the Secretary

Opening Date: 06/03/2025

Closing Date: 6/17/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

Description

Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and healthy-thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) - Exempt Band 5

Agency: Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Location: Olympia, Washington

Reports To: Secretary of DCYF

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible or by June 17th.

Position Overview

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) who will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic oversight and direction, organizational development and project management oversight across all divisions in the agency. The CTO will play a critical leadership role in strengthening organizational development, leading efforts related to culture change, promoting racial equity, spreading professional development and project management principles, and leveraging data-driven decision-making to improve outcomes for children, youth and families.

The CTO will serve on the Executive Leadership Team advising the Secretary. In addition, the CTO is responsible for representing the agency at sub-Cabinet meetings and driving implementation of multi-agency projects inside DCYF.

Why Join DCYF?

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Washington's children, youth, and families by improving organizational dynamics, strategic planning, leadership principles, racial equity and data-driven decision-making. If you are a mission-driven leader with a passion for public service, organizational excellence, and children and families, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Organizational Alignment - Lead transformational initiatives to improve DCYF's organizational development around alignment of strategy, people, data and management processes.
• Racial Equity and Social Justice Leadership - Identify and oversee agency-wide efforts to reduce disparities in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation; improve service delivery, decision making, policy development and performance measures; and build the capacity of the Racial Equity and Social Justice team to support system transformation. Ensure equity-focused practices are embedded in our organization to recruit, support and celebrate our diverse workforce and promote a shared understanding of key concepts of racial equity and social justice.
• Workplace Culture and Values - Provide leadership in building a workplace culture that is results-driven, equity centered and works in partnership-while putting children and youth first.
• Operational Frameworks and Process Management - Lead organizational development efforts around our annual cadence of business, strategic planning, operating principles, and racial equity.
• Enterprise Professional Development and Project Management - Create a robust enterprise approach to professional development and learning, as well as project management, tethered to a high-quality DCYF culture and strategic goals.
• Change Leadership and Transformation Guidance - Inspire leaders and administrators to navigate unprecedented changes related to new transformational strategies.
• Political and Organizational Awareness - Maintain a strong political awareness of the organization and state dynamics to make decisions and take action that ensures collaborative engagement while fighting for the best interests of children and youth.
• Initiative Planning and Stakeholder Engagement - Develop and identify scope, expected outcomes, and key stakeholders for emerging ideas and new and existing bodies of work.
• Special Projects Leadership - Nimbly lead complex special projects that come to/arise within the agency.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree* in public administration, business administration, social work, or closely allied field.

AND

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, organizational development consultation, change management, program evaluation, or strategic planning.
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in managing complex programs and initiatives and overseeing budget, policy, racial equity strategies and performance measurements.
• Ten years of progressively responsible and multi-dimensional experience managing complex projects and teams in a public sector environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for working with children and families.
• Seven years of experience of supervisory responsibility, including managing supervisors.

NOTE*- Additional years of experience may substitute for the required education year for year.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications & Experience

• Advanced level of education such as a Master's in Public Administration (MPA), Business Administration (MBA), or other advanced degree in closely allied legal field AND Ten years of leadership of multi-dimensional organizations and of experience in managing people and programs within a large organization.
• Excellent communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, collaboration and project management skills.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Current resume detailing experience and education.

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.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Steven Loduha (Talent Acquisition Manager) at

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email

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.

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 (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 (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 , 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, are entitled to three (3) 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

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree* in public administration, business administration, social work, or closely allied field
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in managing complex programs and initiatives and overseeing budget, policy, racial equity strategies and performance measurements
• Ten years of progressively responsible and multi-dimensional experience managing complex projects and teams in a public sector environment
• NOTE*- Additional years of experience may substitute for the required education year for year
• Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Current resume detailing experience and education

Benefits

• Salary: $116,364.00 - $189,096.00 Annually
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year
• 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 (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 (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 , 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
• 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, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave
• In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Leave Without Pay
• Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits

Responsibilities

• The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) who will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic oversight and direction, organizational development and project management oversight across all divisions in the agency
• The CTO will play a critical leadership role in strengthening organizational development, leading efforts related to culture change, promoting racial equity, spreading professional development and project management principles, and leveraging data-driven decision-making to improve outcomes for children, youth and families
• The CTO will serve on the Executive Leadership Team advising the Secretary
• In addition, the CTO is responsible for representing the agency at sub-Cabinet meetings and driving implementation of multi-agency projects inside DCYF
• If you are a mission-driven leader with a passion for public service, organizational excellence, and children and families, we encourage you to apply
• Strategic Organizational Alignment - Lead transformational initiatives to improve DCYF's organizational development around alignment of strategy, people, data and management processes
• Racial Equity and Social Justice Leadership - Identify and oversee agency-wide efforts to reduce disparities in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation; improve service delivery, decision making, policy development and performance measures; and build the capacity of the Racial Equity and Social Justice team to support system transformation
• Operational Frameworks and Process Management - Lead organizational development efforts around our annual cadence of business, strategic planning, operating principles, and racial equity
• Enterprise Professional Development and Project Management - Create a robust enterprise approach to professional development and learning, as well as project management, tethered to a high-quality DCYF culture and strategic goals
• Change Leadership and Transformation Guidance - Inspire leaders and administrators to navigate unprecedented changes related to new transformational strategies
• Political and Organizational Awareness - Maintain a strong political awareness of the organization and state dynamics to make decisions and take action that ensures collaborative engagement while fighting for the best interests of children and youth
• Initiative Planning and Stakeholder Engagement - Develop and identify scope, expected outcomes, and key stakeholders for emerging ideas and new and existing bodies of work
• Special Projects Leadership - Nimbly lead complex special projects that come to/arise within the agency
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience in public administration, organizational development consultation, change management, program evaluation, or strategic planning
• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for working with children and families
• Seven years of experience of supervisory responsibility, including managing supervisors