Dependency Court Improvement Analyst

Administrative Office of the Courts•Olympia, WA

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Administrative Office of the Courts is seeking a passionate and skilled Dependency Court Improvement Analyst to strengthen Washington’s dependency court system and improve outcomes for children, youth, and families. This role offers the chance to make a statewide impact by collaborating with courts, lived experts, and partners across the child welfare system to design, support, and evaluate efforts that make the court experience more equitable, trauma-responsive, and centered on hope. The work involves bringing people together across disciplines, facilitating action-focused workgroups, and helping courts implement practices that uplift families and communities. This position will also play a central role in initiatives such as the Family Well-Being Community Collaborative and provide hands-on support for local court improvement projects. The mission of Family and Youth Justice Programs (FYJP) is transforming systems so that families can thrive and court communities reflect fairness, dignity, and inclusion. This position may involve travel to support courts and system partners statewide.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in court administration, public administration, political science, business administration, or a closely allied field; AND Three (3) years of experience in court administration and/or program development.
Relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Nice To Haves

Experience in child welfare, dependency court practice, family-serving systems, or related areas.
Understanding of and/or lived experience with the child welfare court system, and the ability to apply that perspective to system-change efforts.
Demonstrated facilitation skills in virtual and in-person settings, including guiding diverse groups to set priorities, developing action plans, navigate differing viewpoints, and remain on task.
Experience supporting cross-sector workgroups, committees, or Communities of Practice.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including preparation of clear and accessible materials.
Ability to create inclusive spaces where all participants feel heard and respected.
Commitment to race equity, procedural justice, and family-centered court practices.
Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across system partners.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 products, including Word, Teams, and SharePoint, and presentation tools, such as Canva.
Experience with—or willingness to learn—website content management using WordPress or similar tools.
Ability to manage multiple projects, organize work effectively, meet deadlines, and provide strong meeting and coordination support, including tracking timelines, deliverables, and communication loops.
Familiarity with the Washington State court system and the dependency court process.

Responsibilities

Support and staff action-oriented dependency court improvement workgroups, including coordinating timelines, tracking deliverables, maintaining communication loops, and ensuring consistent follow-through from discussion to implementation.
Facilitate group processes in settings where members may have differing opinions, ensuring voices are heard while guiding groups toward action steps, implementation planning, and concrete next milestones.
Collaborate with courts and system partners—including lived experts, DCYF, attorneys, tribal partners, and community-based organizations—to align improvement efforts and advance equitable outcomes.
Conduct research, analysis, and evaluation of existing court processes; identify opportunities for improvement; and prepare recommendations for courts and system partners.
Provide technical assistance to courts implementing changes to practice, staffing, forms, or procedures related to dependency court operations.
Develop and draft materials including toolkits, presentations, guidance documents, and communication products to support courts and system partners.
Support programs and initiatives within the Family and Youth Justice Programs, demonstrating adaptability and flexibility as statewide priorities evolve and new initiatives emerge.
Maintain and update program information and resources on the AOC and FYJP websites.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with system partners across the state, including families and youth with lived experience in the child welfare system.
Performs other duties as required.