Description

As champions for Washington's children and families, Start Early Washington (SEWA) builds on two decades of deep expertise in home visiting and advancing strong early childhood systems statewide. We focus on informing early childhood systems, driving innovation, supporting a diverse and well-supported early childhood workforce, and providing culturally responsive prenatal-to-five early experiences, ensuring all families have access to high-quality services for our youngest residents.

We are recruiting individuals who share our commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning, and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!

The Program Operations Associate provides fiscal, administrative, operational, and project management to the Start Early Washington Program team, ensuring high-quality delivery of collaborative and quality services to programs.  This position is remote, but you must reside in Washington State. Please submit your resumes by the anticipated close date of April 10, 2026

Reporting to the Director, Operations, you will: 

• NON-PERSONNEL PROGRAM BUDGET, FORECAST, AND EXPENSE MANAGEMENT (30%): Support SEWA program team in approving expenses and managing the SEWA non-personnel budget, including monthly budget reconciliation/forecasting, connecting expenses to the budgeted line items. Support the program team in forecasting and processing expenses related to training, technical assistance, site visits, etc. Manages SEWA Program procurement, including processing and coding purchases in Start Early’s purchasing system, ensuring adherence to Start Early protocols and procedures, and serving as the liaison to the Start Early Purchasing and Accounts Payable departments. Ensure supplies for training and technical assistance are purchased as needed.
• TRAINING EVENT LOGISTICS AND COORDINATION (30%): Provide logistical support for in-person and virtual training and professional development events, including scheduling, planning, registration, delivery, communications, and evaluation of events. Purchasing necessary supplies and materials. Primary point of communication, questions, and technical support for training event participants.  
• PROGRAM DELIVERABLES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT (20%):  Manage the deliverables for all program funder commitments, including deliverables outlined in public and private funder contracts, tracking progress on deliverables, and ensuring deliverables are high-quality and delivered on time. Provide updates to SEWA Leadership on the status of deliverables. Elevate risks and priorities when needed. 
• VENDOR CONTRACT MANAGEMENT (10%):  Act as the program liaison for SEWA consultant contracts; process and maintain contracts and records, manage outsourced vendor work, and monitor consultant contracts to ensure completion of contract requirements. Partner with the Contracts and Compliance team to maintain contract records. 
• PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT (10%): Notetaking and scheduling for program and project meetings as needed, including Funders Table, Community Advisory Committee, Home Visiting Systems work, Home Visiting team meeting, etc.  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, relevant work experience 
• 5 years of related experience 
• Deep commitment to advancing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion into organizational routines and practices. 
• Effectively establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect. 
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills with the ability to successfully interface with a diverse range of key stakeholders. 
• Proficient in mathematical and data visualization skills. 
• Proficient in budget management or interested in learning how to manage budgets 
• Proactive and independent problem-solver. Self-motivated, creative, and strategic thinker open to learning and exploring new areas and opportunities. 
• Demonstrated ability to organize complex tasks, prioritize multiple tasks, manage time, and exercise good judgment. Comfort in learning multiple data entry, budget management, and other organizational tools. 
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and participate in teams toward a common objective. 
• Ability to track information and progress on cross-divisional projects and work strands to inform contextualized decision-making. 
• Ability to understand, analyze, interpret, and make good decisions even in ambiguous situations. 
• Reliability in handling confidential information and material. 
• Ability to promote and maintain effective internal and external relationships and communication between divisions, offices, and staff. 
• Customer service orientation. 

Base Annual Salary:  $65,200 - $73,500
As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:
Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.