Overview
For three decades, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has served a critical role in advancing equitable expanded learning ecosystems in Washington state. We work to ensure high-quality afterschool and summer programs are available, so all of Washington’s youth—and especially low-income youth and youth of color—can have the opportunities they deserve to thrive. SOWA is dedicated to building responsive community systems to support quality afterschool, youth development and summer programs for Washington’s children and youth ages 5 through young adulthood.
Position Summary
Guided by the School’s Out Washington Coaching Philosophy, the Program Quality (YPQ) Coach provides culturally responsive, relationship-based coaching that accelerates professional development, strengthens Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), improves youth program quality, and ultimately promotes positive outcomes for youth in the Washington State. The Program Quality Coach will support and empower expanded learning programs as they navigate through Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).
Reports to: Coaching Services Manager
Location: This is a remote position that will require regular, independent travel to and between youth programs located throughout Pierce, Snohomish, and King County, Washington
Responsibilities
Coaching Services (80%)
- Deliver professional coaching through a hybrid model, combining agreed-upon in-person visits with virtual tools such as Zoom, email, and phone calls.
- Embed the practice of culturally responsive coaching within youth programs navigating continuous quality improvement (CQI) through assessment, planning, and implementation of program quality improvement and broader organizational goals.
- Facilitate individual, team, and group coaching sessions to build Youth Development Professionals confidence and self-efficacy, ensuring that as adults thrive, youth programs transform into equitable environments rooted in belonging, community, and positive youth outcomes.
- Model facilitation techniques that are culturally relevant and cognitively, linguistically, socially, and emotionally responsive.
- Partner with programs to integrate self-assessments, external data, actionable improvement plans, and professional learning systems.
- Lead reflective practice discussions with program directors and staff to identify internal strengths and areas for strategic growth using program quality assessment tools including but not limited to: The Forum For Youth Investment Program Quality Assessment tools, WA Core Competencies for School Age Child Care and Expanded Learning Professionals, and WA Quality Standards.
- Collaborate with program leadership to design specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals based on formal evaluation data.
- Co-develop actionable program improvement plans and establish clear professional development priorities.
- Design customized original tools while also curating high-quality external resources and best practices tailored to each program’s unique goals.
- Facilitate training for youth development professionals to acquire foundational knowledge and practical skills aligned with the WA Core Competencies for School Age Child Care and Expanded Learning Professionals
Collaboration and Administration:
- Partner with internal teams and initiative leads to coordinate and align support.
- Participate in relevant learning community meetings and other cohort events.
- Record coaching activities, including hours with each site, and complete required project paperwork in a timely manner.
External Assessment & Training Support (20%)
- Acquire and maintain Washington State Approved Trainer status by following the DCYF Standards of Practice and Professionalism for State Approved Training and State Approved Trainer Standards.
- Facilitate two community workshops per quarter of the calendar year.
- Provide ongoing instructional support for courses delivered through SOWA’s online learning management system.
- Maintain annual reliability as a qualified/certified PQA external assessor – be available to provide PQA external assessments as needed.
- Support event planning and day-of support for SOWA professional learning events as needed. Provide virtual room host support and technical assistance on occasion.
Other Responsibilities:
- Address racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices.
- Work towards racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism, including active participate in organizational learning.
- Participate in related project meetings and bi-weekly staff meetings.
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Competencies
Coaching Mindset:
- Comfortable and skilled at building community and trusting relationships
- Demonstrate compassion, understanding and empathy
- Active listening and reflective practices
- Attune to the needs of the ELO provider and individualizing the coaching approach
- Recognize how the role of a coach contributes to power dynamics, and actively takes steps to shift power to participants
Other Qualifications & Experience:
- 2+ years or equivalent experience in education, child and youth development, human development, social work, social service, public administration, counseling, recreation, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience supporting adult learners in youth-serving agencies or other professional settings; through coaching, training, or supervision.
- Working knowledge of school-age/youth development, center-based program services.
- Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices, and understanding of the effects of place-, race- and policy & systems-based inequities on marginalized communities.
- Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC communities.
- Working knowledge of child, adolescent and adult learning theory and experience programming for diverse populations and learning styles.
- Demonstrated understanding of, or familiarity with, program quality and or other assessment tools.
- Completion and endorsement as a reliable Youth or School-Age PQA External Assessor within the past 12 months preferred.
- Successful completion of Youth Work Methods Training of Trainers course within the past three years preferred.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a collaborative team.
- Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database systems.
- Must be able to independently travel between work-related appointments and program sites primarily in King and Pierce County.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and insurance.
- Requires flexibility in time requirements/constraints; may require early morning, evening, weekend meetings, extensive local and occasional statewide travel and limited overnight stays.
Hours and Benefits
24 hours per week, Monday-Friday; occasional evenings and weekends required.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Salaried Non-Exempt
Hiring Salary Range: This is a part-time position, and the starting salary range is $39,300-$45,240 for a 24-hour work week (Full-time equivalent would be $65,500 – $75,400) based on relevant experience for the role. Over time, the employee in this role may earn up to $51,120 per year ($85,200 would be the full time equivalent) with additional years of service.
Eligible for employment prorated benefits: Benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, 403b retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off
School’s Out Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a commitment to addressing racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices and a commitment to working toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism. People of Color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter as one document through our online portal: https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/624.careers?ApplyToJob=839096130&full_apply=&jobid=839096130
Please complete the full application, including all supplemental questions. A cover letter of no more than two pages is required and should highlight how your experience, interests, and passions align with the position and School’s Out Washington’s mission and work. You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application is successfully submitted.
Applications received by September 17, 2026, will be given full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date, but preference will be given to applications submitted by September 17, 2026. The announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.