*This position will remain open until filled. First review of applications will begin July 23, 2018. The hiring manager reserves the right to close the recruitment any time after July 23, 2018; therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Are you looking for a challenging and interesting part-time policy position?  Here’s a great opportunity to work with a dynamic team through December 2019.

The availability and affordability of adequate child care for working families across the state is approaching a crisis situation.  The Washington State Legislature has directed Commerce (through SHB2367) to convene and facilitate a 30+ member Child Care Collaborative Task Force to examine the effects of child care on the workforce and on businesses.  The task force will make recommendations on improving access and affordability, and on incentivizing employer-supported child care.

The Policy and Planning Team within the Director’s Office is seeking a Policy Advisor to lead this effort. The Policy Advisor provides expert information and guidance to the task force, executive leadership, the governor’s office and other senior level individuals. The position is responsible for delivering information, analyses and policy recommendations regarding child care affordability and accessibility on the workforce and on businesses. This position will partner with a Management Analyst on supporting the task force, and on researching and developing the task force report.

Does this sound like a perfect opportunity?  If so, we invite you to apply today!

• Working with task force chair and vice chair to develop meeting agendas, background materials and presentations and expert witnesses for task force meetings.
• Overseeing staff support to the task force (with a team member assigned to this work), to include oversight of administrative functions such as travel reimbursements, securing meeting facilities, developing presentation and background materials, and securing appropriate meeting and collaboration technology.
• Developing qualitative and/or quantitative research, depending upon task force requirements and available resources.
• As the effort’s expert, developing and assessing alternative policy recommendations for consideration by the task force.
• Identifying policy recommendations that address disparity and disproportionality in service delivery and accessibility for families.
• Configuring a written report incorporating all recommendations of the task force, and using appropriate narrative, graphics, and data to present findings.
• Overseeing the design of ancillary report materials, including slide decks, executive summaries, handouts, infographics, etc.
• Meeting with stakeholders, surfacing their interests, and identifying shared interests.
• Developing productive working relationships with staff from other state agencies, private sector executives, nonprofit practitioners and advocates, low- and moderate-income working parents, professional early learning educators, child care providers and elected officials.

• Master’s degree in public administration, economics, or a closely related field AND five years of progressively-responsible professional experience in community or economic development, including demonstrated expertise in public policy research theory and techniques, performance metrics, and applied research.
• Demonstrated experience working within the political environment, including clear understanding of legislative process and policy development, and decision-making that impacts programs.
• Demonstrated ability to take broad public policy conceptual ideas, provide appropriate guidance, leadership, and oversight and bring such concepts into practical applications with minimal guidance and direction.
• Advanced skills in MS Office applications including the ability to accurately represent ideas in narrative, tabular and graphic formats.
• Strong communication skills, including mastery with English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary, and production of communication deliverables that are accessible by both high-level decision makers and the general public.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups, including state and federal governmental agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, and citizens.
• Skills to anticipate problems and changes in the authorizing environment and respond quickly with solutions.
• Capable of making critical recommendations and decisions affecting statewide economic and community development policy.
• Required Competencies:

  Integrity–Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports organizational values, and conveys good news and bad.
  Leadership–Leads through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.
  Interpersonal Skills–Has good listening and facilitative skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback and handles constructive criticism.
  Results Focus–Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.
  Communication–Top-notch hard and soft communication skills, both verbally and in writing

  Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree such as a PhD in public administration, economics, or a closely related field.
• An advanced level of expertise in conducting research and evaluation on economic or community development issues, formulating policy recommendations, and measuring and improving programmatic performance.
• Recognized mastery of one or more of the above subjects as demonstrated by a track record of success in formulating policy or performance measurement recommendations that are adopted, authoring peer-reviewed publications and presentations, or other similar professionally-evaluated performance.
• Advanced skills in complex stakeholder engagement, including successfully working directly with state legislators.
• At least five legislative sessions of professional-level experience in developing and analyzing legislative proposals and developing decision packages.
• Knowledge and expertise in the principles and best practices in the field of public policy, economics, early learning and/or workforce development.

In addition to completing the online application and answering the supplemental questions, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education; and
• A list of at least three professional references.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Lindsey Henderson at 360-725-2650 or Lindsey.Henderson@Commerce.wa.gov. 

Who we are:

At Commerce, we’re a little different. But for you, it might just be the perfect fit.  We’re a state agency but operate like a business with the understanding we need to know our customer’s needs to fulfill them.  Our Olympia offices are open Monday through Friday (flexible schedules are available). Our parking is free and many of our employees bike year round. We also have an active loaner bike program.

Washington State offers commuting programs, including free, subsidized and reduced public transportation incentives.  There are approximately 300 employees in our agency. We are committed to our work and value balance in our personal lives. We hire people for a position and encourage them to train for growth opportunities.

If this sounds like a good fit for you and you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply today!

What we do:

We are the lead state agency charged with strengthening communities.  We administer a diverse portfolio of programs and services, and we support several state boards and commissions. 

Our key customers include businesses, local governments and community-based organizations. We also play the crucial role of convening numerous local, state, regional and federal partners and stakeholders, public and private. Together we work to support the Governor’s priorities and achieve shared goals and objectives for the citizens of Washington.

Not from Olympia?

As the state’s capitol, Olympia is located off Interstate 5 at the south end of the Puget Sound roughly half-way between Seattle and Portland, and less than a two hour drive to the coast, temperate rainforest, mountains, urban city, or farmlands.  With year-round art festivals, parades, theater shows, concerts, and community events, Olympia and its surrounding cities have something for everyone. For parents, it boasts some of the best schools in the nation and the renowned HandsOn Children’s Museum.  Home to two universities (The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin’s University), Olympia residents also have the opportunity to pursue a degree while working!

Additional Information:

The Washington State Department of Commerce complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650. 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.