Program Associate Jobs in Lacey, WA (NOW HIRING)

Description WSLCB Vision Safe communities for Washington State Mission Promote public safety, public health and trust through fair administration and enforcement of liquor, tobacco, cannabis and vapor laws First review of applications will be May 18th, 2026, please submit an application on or before May 17th, 2026. The hiring authority reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. We encourage all to apply as early as possible.

* This position is currently eligible to telework. These positions will be required to work in the office at least 3-4 days per week. This may change based on business needs.

Who we are The mission of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is to promote public safety, public health and trust through fair administration, education and enforcement of liquor, cannabis, tobacco, and vapor laws. We search for people who demonstrate a strong work ethic, excellence in customer service, partnering and teamwork, and quality performance. We want to create a culture that fosters excellence in customer service, open and honest communication, transparency and accountability, data driven decisions, and business-initiated process improvement.

Our commitment to DEIB The WSLCB strives to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in all aspects of our work. This includes a commitment to our workforce and external stakeholders. It is our mission to build, educate, and inspire an inclusive environment that recognizes, respects, and celebrates diversity in the workplace and in the community we serve.

We are committed to maintaining a thriving culture where employees and those we serve feel safe and accepted regardless of education, background, or beliefs. As a WSLCB team member, you will have opportunity to join statewide business resource groups (BRGs) such as, Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network, Veteran Employee Resource Group, Latino Leadership Network, Blacks United in Leadership and Diversity, Disability Inclusion Network, Washington Immigrant Network and Hawaiians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders Promoting an Empowerment Network. Your opportunity at a glance The WSLCB Enforcement and Education Division (EED) is announcing an exciting opportunity for a Program Specialist 5 (PS5) position in Olympia, WA.

This position reports directly to the Deputy Chief of Administration (DCA) and is part of the EED's management team. This position exercises independent judgment regarding a wide range of essential issues, interests, and activities within the organization with statewide impact. This position makes recommendations regarding organizational change, process improvement, and policy development based on the EED business operational plans and functional resources.

The incumbent manages the application of the administrative functions in the EED division and has direct oversight of the Division's budget, estimating over $52 million per biennium. Additional responsibilities consist of contract and grant proposals, negotiations, procurement, and purchasing in accordance with State statutes; accountable for managing, billing, and completion of all awards, including evaluating contractor performance. This position oversees the Division's statewide recruiting and hiring process.

Schedules various preliminary employment examinations, such as Psychological, Medical, and Polygraph assessments and serve as the first point of contact for all new hires and coordinates onboarding schedules with new employees. The incumbent also manages the division vehicle fleet consisting of approximately 150 vehicles, coordinates and issues all officer and office equipment, and is the divisional asset coordinator. This position supervises an Office Assistant 3, an Administrative Assistant 2, and two Program Specialist 3's.

If you have an interest in working with internal and external customers and being a Program Specialist 5, we encourage you to apply to be a part of the WSLCB team. WSLCB provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including: A comprehensive benefits package (including but not limited to Medical/Dental/Vision, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance etc.) Paid Vacation, Leave, and Holidays Tuition Waiver (enrollment in courses at state universities/colleges on a space availability basis - all or a portion of the tuition/fees may be waived for state employees) Tuition reimbursement (courses taken with prior approval in order to further employee's career development with the WSLCB) Training and career development programs (including online courses and LinkedIn Learning) A healthy work/life balance (this may include flexible/alternative work schedules and telework/remote work opportunities, when possible) Employee Assistance Program - confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public service employees Generous wellness program (we offer reimbursements for certain fitness related activities) Onsite exercise facility (for employees working at WSLCB Headquarter Building in Olympia) Infants at Work Program to promote parent and infant bonding, parental well-being and healthy infant development. Depending on your job duties, work location and supervisor approval, eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when they return to work

Free parking Duties Some of the duties you will perform are: Serves as the EED Asset Coordinator to ensure EED Assets are properly tracked, transferred, maintained, and reported. This position has delegated authority to take independent action and to conduct highly complex purchasing projects involving unique services and/or technical commodities purchasing, Exercises authority to independently make decisions with a significant fiscal impact. Evaluates supply and equipment usage data; determines stock levels and economic order quantities.

Activities include developing specifications for large, complex, or unusual procurement projects. Researches purchase-specific items that involve unique or customized material requirements. Place appropriate paperwork for all divisional purchasing needs with the HQ Supply section.

Works with the DCA, Contracts Manager, and the Finance division to ensure all grants and interagency agreements are in compliance and ready for signature. Oversees contract tracking of hours worked and ensures all paperwork is submitted, including "Before and After Action Reports", Activity Reports, and Overtime Reports, creates invoices, and ensures payroll matches with reported hours. Ensures that the process complies with the language of the contract.

Works closely with the Finance division ensure guidelines are met to secure contracts regarding venues/facilities, guest speakers and trainers. Oversees the Public Safety Testing site that shows all applicants interested in becoming an LEO. Secures interview panels and works with HR to ensure all required documents are in place before interviews are scheduled.

Serves as the lead for the divisions recruitment and hiring process; Schedules interviews, prescreens applicant's files and testing, conducts scoring, compiles applicant files, is the liaison between the background investigators and the hiring authority, meets with applicants for the conditional offer made by the DCA, schedules polygraphs and phycological appointments, arranges for medical evaluations, hearing test appointments, and is the conduit throughout the process between the DC and the applicant. Communicates an overview of the agency's culture, the division's structure, and the expectations of the role to potential candidates via an in-person meeting to help the candidate understand what an enforcement officer encounters on a day-to-day basis. Schedules onboarding for all enforcement hires and coordinates vehicle and equipment issues/or replacements.

Maintains recruitment efforts by scheduling Job Fairs and by having oversight of the recruiting team. Ensure staff receive the hiring incentive pay for referring applicants. Creates new strategies for recruiting.

Supervises the divisions Administrative Assistant 2 (AA2), who handles inventory management, and the Office Assistant 3 to ensure incoming enquiries are met to agency standards. Oversees the supervision of the division fleet. Meets with the AA2 on a weekly basis to ensure the divisional vehicle fleet expectations are being met.

Reviews the vacant pool car list, coordinates, and forecasts upcoming vehicle replacements and special vehicle needs, such as reasonable accommodations, coordinates with the Deputy Chiefs for vehicle replacement needs, and compiles justification to meet unit needs and the ordering of vehicles. Works with the DCA to assess the needs of the division regarding equipment. The position has oversight over all equipment ordering and issuance, Supervises the Office Assistant 3 (OA3), this position serves as the customer service representative for the division statewide.

This position receives stakeholder complaints via website, email, and phone. Directs relevant actions to the appropriate staff. Explores solutions for new upcoming items that pertain to general inquires, new laws, project changes, keg book distributions, forms and signage requests.

Sets performance expectations and provides evaluation of work. Provides coaching and counseling; recommends hiring and disciplinary actions to the DCA. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Eight (8) years of experience in planning, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and this should include supervisory experience.

OR An Associate's degree. AND Six (6) years of experience in planning, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and this should include supervisory experience. OR A Bachelor's degree.

AND Four (4) years of experience in planning, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government and this should include supervisory experience. Must have demonstrated experience in the following areas: Supervising, coaching/counseling/mentoring, and performance management of staff. Recruiting and hiring of staff.

Budget and contract management at a division or agency level. Delegated purchasing authority and invoice processes (i.e., purchasing card and supply ordering). Fleet and asset management

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: Recruiting and hiring of staff for a law enforcement or public safety agency. A Master's or Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, or a similar field. Required Equity Competencies: The ability to take action to learn and grow This equity competency identifies people who are curious about themselves and others, who take responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses, and who use their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.

The ability to take action to meet the needs of others This equity competency identifies people who are flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve. Competencies: Accountability: Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.

Effectively organizes multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time. Accept own role when expectations are met and respond quickly to resolve issues with others. Analysis: Uses data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.

Identify key facts in an array of data. Recognizes when pertinent facts are incorrect, missing, or require supplementation or verification. Distinguishes information that is not pertinent to a decision or solution.

Breaks down data into component parts to understand the nature and relationship of the parts. Recognizes underlying principles, patterns, or themes in an array of related information, and determines whether additional information would be useful or necessary. Judges or infer appropriate responses to a set of information on the basis of clear guidelines or procedures.

Form accurate conclusions regarding actions to be taken. Build and Maintain Relationships: Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent, honest, and professional interactions. Build and maintain working relationships characterized by mutual acceptance and cooperation.

Contribute to an environment that honors diversity and users' diverse perspectives to meet the agency's mission and goals. Computer Skills: Displays working knowledge of program or agency computer system(s), which include Microsoft Office suite programs. Ability to utilize electronic resources, including the internet and SharePoint.

Accurately document and/or update information in electronic form to maintain complete records. Customer Focus: Listens attentively, identifies issues, provides options, fulfills services, and/or exercises knowledge of laws and regulations to assist others and/or resolves complaints or conflicts. Build and maintain internal and external customer satisfaction with the products and services offered by the organization.

Treats customers with courtesy and sensitivity. Builds positive rapport. Makes extra effort to satisfy customer needs.

Regularly follows up with customers to ensure needs have been fully met. Proactively keeps customers informed by giving timely and appropriate feedback. Assesses problem situations and initiates effective service interventions that result in customer satisfaction.

Coordinates with staff in other areas to effectively meet customer service needs Effective Communications, General: Conveys clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others. Effectively expresses ideas and information through the written and spoken word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the reader or audience ("plain talk"). Keeps supervisor and co-workers informed while sharing complete and accurate information with others to include staff and people outside the organization.

Practices active listening by concentrating on the person or caller; listens without interrupting; and asks qu...