Identity and Access Management Lead
Apply NowCompany: State of Washington
Location: Olympia, WA 98501
Description:
Salary : $106,523.00 - $159,785.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 1437
Department: Health Benefits Exchange
Opening Date: 04/09/2025
Description
The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.
The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.
The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:
Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange's area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.
Duties
SUMMARY
The Identity and Access Management (IAM) Lead is responsible for overseeing the development, configuration, and management of the WAHBE's IAM solution, leveraging ForgeRock technology. This role encompasses designing, managing, and monitoring IAM systems to ensure the implementation of robust security controls. The IAM Lead collaborates with the risk management team on IT audits and remediation efforts, partners with the delivery team to support modernization initiatives, and assists the incident response team in investigating IT security incidents and breaches. Additionally, the role involves evaluating new IAM requirements, assessing and migrating IAM products, and providing management with impact analyses and status updates.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and lead the WAHBE's Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategy, ensuring alignment with delivery team goals and WAHBE policies.
Design and architect IAM solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing and future infrastructure.
Lead the evaluation, deployment, migration, and management of IAM technologies.
Provide hands-on expertise in configuring and deploying IAM solutions.
Ensure the availability, scalability, and reliability of IAM systems.
Manage the end-to-end integration of IAM systems with cloud-based applications and services.
Oversee the entire user identity lifecycle, including provisioning, deprovisioning, and account management.
Implement and manage Single Sign-On (SSO), federation (SAML, OAuth, OIDC), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and risk-based authentication.
Ensure IAM compliance with regulatory standards such as NIST, CMS MARS-E, IRS publication 1075, and OWASP.
Monitor and audit IAM systems to identify and address potential security incidents.
Lead cross-functional teams to deliver successful IAM initiatives.
Collaborate with IT, Security, Risk Management, and Delivery teams to define and refine IAM requirements.
Manage vendor relationships, including monitoring performance, product updates, and organizational impacts.
Serve as a subject matter expert during security incidents and investigations related to IAM.
Perform root cause analysis and implement solutions to address IAM-related issues effectively.
Mentor and manage a team of IAM administrators and engineers, promoting best practices and professional growth.
Track and resolve IAM bugs and release issues, reporting progress to management.
Conduct access re-certifications for privileged user accounts within the IAM framework.
Manage and resolve day-to-day IAM issues, ensuring escalation and process adherence.
Configure both standard and custom reporting using industry-standard tools.
Stay informed about emerging trends and capabilities in IAM technologies.
Advise management on IAM risk-related issues and recommend actions to support risk management and compliance goals.
Lead risk assessments for proposed IAM solutions, escalating issues when necessary and ensuring resolution.
Assist WAHBE in reviewing and updating policies, procedures, and standards related to IAM solutions.
Collaborate with the Risk Management Office to remediate vulnerabilities and address audit findings.
Collaborate closely with architects and engineers to share insights, best practices, and technical requirements.
Perform additional responsibilities as needed within the scope of IAM solutions.
Qualifications
Required:
7+ years of experience in Identity and Access Management (IAM) using tools like Oracle, ForgeRock, Okta, PingOne, or similar technologies, including at least 3 years in a lead or architect role.
In-depth knowledge of IAM technologies such as ForgeRock, SailPoint, Okta, Ping Identity, or Oracle Identity Suite.
Proficiency in SAML, OAuth, OIDC, MFA, and risk-based authentication mechanisms.
Strong understanding of Directory Services, RESTful APIs, and microservices architectures.
Ability to assess the impact of new requirements on IAM and all upstream and downstream applications, systems, and processes.
Advanced troubleshooting capabilities, including log analysis and root cause identification.
Hands-on experience with implementing IAM solutions in cloud environments, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Knowledge of hybrid cloud IAM deployments and integrations.
Exceptional leadership and decision-making abilities with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Experience developing and documenting business processes and workflows within IAM implementations.
Experience assisting in security/privacy incident investigations and collaborating with incident response teams.
Experience in vendor management and oversight, with the ability to escalate concerns to management when necessary.
Motivated self-starter with the ability to take initiative and ownership of responsibilities.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment.
Creative, proactive analytical person who can independently make decisions and manage work priorities.
Highly organized, flexible, and resourceful, with strong attention to detail.
Desired:
Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience with ForgeRock Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions.
Strong knowledge and practical experience in understanding and implementing IT security controls.
Experience working with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
Background in government and/or healthcare industries.
Comprehensive understanding of standards and guidelines, including IRS 1075, MARS-E, NIST, FISMA, and HITECH.
Proven experience in contracts management.
Bachelor's or master's degree in Cybersecurity or a related field.
Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or vendor-specific IAM credentials (e.g., ForgeRock Certified Identity Management Specialist, Okta Certified Professional).
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts effectively.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.
SALARY INFORMATION
Full Salary Range: $106,523.00 to $159,785.00 annually, with midpoint at $133,154.00.
Hiring Range: $122,502.00 and $133,154.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer.
The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market. Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum.
BENEFITS
Take a peek at our
WORKING CONDITIONS
Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required. The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters. The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. While a hybrid remote and on-site schedule may be considered, the position will require flexibility to allow for in-office availability as business needs dictate. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.
The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchange's eligibility standards.
OTHER INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.
This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
We participate in You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 1437
Department: Health Benefits Exchange
Opening Date: 04/09/2025
Description
The mission of Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is to radically improve how Washington residents secure health insurance through innovative and practical solutions, an easy-to-use customer experience, our values of integrity, respect, equity and transparency, and by providing undeniable value to the health care community.
The Exchange is a public-private partnership that operates Washington Healthplanfinder, the eligibility and enrollment portal used by one in four Washington residents to obtain health and dental coverage. Through this platform, and with support from a Customer Support Center and statewide network of in-person navigators and brokers, individuals and families can shop, compare and enroll in private, qualified health plans (as defined in the Affordable Care Act) or enroll in Washington Apple Health, the state Medicaid program.
The Exchange embraces the following equity statement adopted by our Board of Directors:
Equity is fundamental to the mission of the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The process of advancing toward equity and becoming anti-racist is disruptive and demands vigilance to dismantle deeply entrenched systems of privilege and oppression. While systemic racism is a root cause of many societal inequities, we must also use an intersectional approach to address all forms of bias and oppression, which interact with and often exacerbate racial inequities. To be successful, we must recognize the socioeconomic drivers of health and focus on people and places where needs are greatest. As we listen to community, we must hold ourselves accountable to responding to recommendations to remedy inequitable policies, systems, or practices within the Exchange's area of influence. Our goal is that all Washingtonians have full and equal access to opportunities, power and resources to achieve their full potential.
Duties
SUMMARY
The Identity and Access Management (IAM) Lead is responsible for overseeing the development, configuration, and management of the WAHBE's IAM solution, leveraging ForgeRock technology. This role encompasses designing, managing, and monitoring IAM systems to ensure the implementation of robust security controls. The IAM Lead collaborates with the risk management team on IT audits and remediation efforts, partners with the delivery team to support modernization initiatives, and assists the incident response team in investigating IT security incidents and breaches. Additionally, the role involves evaluating new IAM requirements, assessing and migrating IAM products, and providing management with impact analyses and status updates.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and lead the WAHBE's Identity and Access Management (IAM) strategy, ensuring alignment with delivery team goals and WAHBE policies.
Design and architect IAM solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing and future infrastructure.
Lead the evaluation, deployment, migration, and management of IAM technologies.
Provide hands-on expertise in configuring and deploying IAM solutions.
Ensure the availability, scalability, and reliability of IAM systems.
Manage the end-to-end integration of IAM systems with cloud-based applications and services.
Oversee the entire user identity lifecycle, including provisioning, deprovisioning, and account management.
Implement and manage Single Sign-On (SSO), federation (SAML, OAuth, OIDC), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and risk-based authentication.
Ensure IAM compliance with regulatory standards such as NIST, CMS MARS-E, IRS publication 1075, and OWASP.
Monitor and audit IAM systems to identify and address potential security incidents.
Lead cross-functional teams to deliver successful IAM initiatives.
Collaborate with IT, Security, Risk Management, and Delivery teams to define and refine IAM requirements.
Manage vendor relationships, including monitoring performance, product updates, and organizational impacts.
Serve as a subject matter expert during security incidents and investigations related to IAM.
Perform root cause analysis and implement solutions to address IAM-related issues effectively.
Mentor and manage a team of IAM administrators and engineers, promoting best practices and professional growth.
Track and resolve IAM bugs and release issues, reporting progress to management.
Conduct access re-certifications for privileged user accounts within the IAM framework.
Manage and resolve day-to-day IAM issues, ensuring escalation and process adherence.
Configure both standard and custom reporting using industry-standard tools.
Stay informed about emerging trends and capabilities in IAM technologies.
Advise management on IAM risk-related issues and recommend actions to support risk management and compliance goals.
Lead risk assessments for proposed IAM solutions, escalating issues when necessary and ensuring resolution.
Assist WAHBE in reviewing and updating policies, procedures, and standards related to IAM solutions.
Collaborate with the Risk Management Office to remediate vulnerabilities and address audit findings.
Collaborate closely with architects and engineers to share insights, best practices, and technical requirements.
Perform additional responsibilities as needed within the scope of IAM solutions.
Qualifications
Required:
7+ years of experience in Identity and Access Management (IAM) using tools like Oracle, ForgeRock, Okta, PingOne, or similar technologies, including at least 3 years in a lead or architect role.
In-depth knowledge of IAM technologies such as ForgeRock, SailPoint, Okta, Ping Identity, or Oracle Identity Suite.
Proficiency in SAML, OAuth, OIDC, MFA, and risk-based authentication mechanisms.
Strong understanding of Directory Services, RESTful APIs, and microservices architectures.
Ability to assess the impact of new requirements on IAM and all upstream and downstream applications, systems, and processes.
Advanced troubleshooting capabilities, including log analysis and root cause identification.
Hands-on experience with implementing IAM solutions in cloud environments, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Knowledge of hybrid cloud IAM deployments and integrations.
Exceptional leadership and decision-making abilities with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Experience developing and documenting business processes and workflows within IAM implementations.
Experience assisting in security/privacy incident investigations and collaborating with incident response teams.
Experience in vendor management and oversight, with the ability to escalate concerns to management when necessary.
Motivated self-starter with the ability to take initiative and ownership of responsibilities.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and demonstrate sound judgment.
Creative, proactive analytical person who can independently make decisions and manage work priorities.
Highly organized, flexible, and resourceful, with strong attention to detail.
Desired:
Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience with ForgeRock Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions.
Strong knowledge and practical experience in understanding and implementing IT security controls.
Experience working with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems.
Background in government and/or healthcare industries.
Comprehensive understanding of standards and guidelines, including IRS 1075, MARS-E, NIST, FISMA, and HITECH.
Proven experience in contracts management.
Bachelor's or master's degree in Cybersecurity or a related field.
Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or vendor-specific IAM credentials (e.g., ForgeRock Certified Identity Management Specialist, Okta Certified Professional).
Demonstrated ability to quickly learn and apply new concepts effectively.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
This position will be open until we find a suitable number of candidates to review. If interested, please submit an application with a cover letter as soon as possible. The Exchange reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time.
SALARY INFORMATION
Full Salary Range: $106,523.00 to $159,785.00 annually, with midpoint at $133,154.00.
Hiring Range: $122,502.00 and $133,154.00 annually. This is an estimate of where a qualified candidate can expect to receive an offer.
The actual salary offer will consider candidate experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and the market. Our compensation policy reserves the salary range above the midpoint for employees who are meeting and exceeding expectations and for growth and development, up to the maximum.
BENEFITS
Take a peek at our
WORKING CONDITIONS
Core business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are times where irregular hours will be required. The preferred duty station is our Olympia, Washington headquarters. The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. While a hybrid remote and on-site schedule may be considered, the position will require flexibility to allow for in-office availability as business needs dictate. Travel requirements will be limited, however there may be occasions where an employee is required to travel and work irregular hours to attend meetings or trainings. Duties of this position require the use of standard office furniture and equipment, including setup for remote work. The employee is responsible for providing and maintaining a safe, ergonomic, and secure workspace at their remote location.
The working conditions and physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
A criminal background screen will be conducted for candidates under final consideration, and if hired, every five years of employment where highly sensitive data is processed or maintained by the position. The result of this background screen must meet the Exchange's eligibility standards.
OTHER INFORMATION
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.
This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange is an All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
We participate in You can view the Department of Justice's Right to Work poster
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022