Vocational Education Program Specialist

NOTE:
The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. 

Who We Are:
The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (Workforce Board) is a tri-partite board (business, labor, and government), and cabinet agency created to provide objective planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, policy analysis and advocacy across Washington’s comprehensive workforce development system in support of Washington’s workers, jobseekers, businesses, and communities. The Workforce Board engages a wide range of state, local, and federal agencies, business, labor, community-based organizations, and others representing system customers to inform our work. Board and agency staff maintain a laser focus on the state’s economic strength, the availability of a strong and responsive talent pipeline, and on equitable access to that pipeline for every Washingtonian. For more information about the Workforce Board, you can access the website at www.wtb.wa.gov.

About the Opportunity:
As a Vocational Education Program Specialist (VEPS), you will independently manage licensing and regulatory compliance for over 300 private career schools across Washington, directly protecting more than 35,000 students. Operating under the direction of the Consumer Protection Unit Director, you will handle administrative oversight, interpret regulations, and enforce the Private Vocational School Act (RCW 28C.10). Your day-to-day responsibilities will include conducting compliance monitoring and site inspections, leading complaint resolutions and investigations, and managing the Tuition Recovery Trust Fund (TRTF). Additionally, you will provide technical assistance to schools, safeguard confidential records, and coordinate with external agencies to ensure educational quality, accountability, and strong consumer protection.Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Review and approve private vocational school licensing applications by analyzing business plans, financial statements, and faculty qualifications.
• Evaluate instructional programs and facility resources to ensure schools can deliver advertised training.
• Assess institutional compliance using statutory and regulatory criteria under RCW 28C.10 and WAC 490-105.
• Determine overall institutional viability and identify operational deficiencies by applying established licensing standards.
• Review institutional documentation and practices to ensure the adequacy of program delivery.
• Protect students and ensure institutions achieve their stated educational objectives.
• Interpret and communicate licensing requirements, regulatory procedures, and compliance expectations to school representatives and stakeholders using RCW, WAC, and agency policies.
• Deliver information and guidance on application and renewal processes through verbal, written, in-person, or virtual presentations.
• Mediate student-institution disputes through informal conflict resolution and conduct formal complaint investigations by gathering evidence, interviewing parties, and applying regulatory standards to produce defensible findings.
• Other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Three (3) years of professional experience performing administrative and/or regulatory work involving the compilation, analysis, and evaluation of information, data, and facts to determine eligibility, compliance with laws or program requirements, or to make recommendations for management action.
• Proficiency with licensing and regulatory data management systems. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Adobe Acrobat

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree or certification in Public Administration, Business Administration, Education, or a closely related field.
• Experience licensing or regulating educational institutions or other regulated industries.
• Experience conducting administrative hearings, enforcement actions, or complaint investigations.
• Knowledge of higher education administration, workforce development programs, or veteran education benefits.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service while maintaining regulatory integrity.
• Experience using licensing databases, case management systems, or document management software.

How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.

The Workforce Board is a small agency with a big mission! Its success is a critical component of our state’s economic recovery and the future success of Washington’s businesses and workers. Every position is necessary, and every employee is expected to meet very high standards of performance and productivity in order to fulfill the Board's obligations to the state's citizens and employers. We aim to be the workplace of choice for professionals in our fields of practice. Additionally, all Workforce Board employees are stewards of the public trust and are expected to model this behavior and attitude, and work to ensure that the public trust in the Workforce Board never falls into question. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To take advantage of veterans' preference, please include your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from USDVA in your online application. 

Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Salary : $5,928 - $7,973