Director of Executive Policy & External Relations

Description
Director of Executive Policy & External Relations description image

Director of Executive Policy & External Relations

Exempt Band 4

Location: Tumwater, WA

Salary Range: $134,894 – $163,527 Annually

This is a telework/hybrid position. The candidate of choice must be able to work in the Tumwater, WA office on a frequent basis. The telework schedule is to be determined by the position supervisor.

This position will remain open until an adequate candidate pool is established. The first review of applications will be November 27, 2024. The hiring manager has a right to close the recruitment after this date.

The Washington State Department of Corrections is a leader in professionalism, efficiency and consistency, operating a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington. To see our commitment continue to positively improve public safety, we are searching for a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as our Director of Executive Policy & External Relations! This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a collaborative and enthusiastic individual to serve in a mission critical role, impacting the agency as a whole.

Our Director of Executive Policy & External Relations provides strategy and direction for the agency’s legislative efforts as well as policy coordination and serves as the main conduit of communication with the legislature and external criminal justice stakeholders. This position is tasked with collaborating with community stakeholders, legislators and advising the agency’s Secretary and other members of the executive leadership within the department and helps develop the agency’s policy direction.

The Director of Executive Policy & External Relations provides leadership and policy direction and provides strategic judgments and decisions where there are few prescribed or established approaches. In coordination with agency executives and the budget director, you will ensure the strategic plan and performance measures are incorporated into budget development, agency initiatives, routine performance measurement and legislative presentations as appropriate. This position is the agency’s primary point of contact with state legislators and legislative staff and is authorized to speak on behalf of the department.

We are searching for a teammate who shares our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community. If this is you, we are excited to see your application! A completed application packet will include:

A detailed resume
A cover letter regarding your interest for this position with our agency
Three professional references
Duties
The Department has established a strong positive reputation with the Legislature and stakeholders and desires a candidate who can sustain and build upon that relationship. As the Director of Executive Policy & External Relations, you will report to the Assistant Secretary of the Budget, Strategy, and Technology Administration, and will be responsible for the following:

Oversight and management of staff who function as legislative relations, the department’s Correspondence Unit, engagement with the Office of Corrections Ombuds, administrative support and oversight of the Office of Tribal Relations
Setting standards and providing direction and leadership to staff in those units, and guidance on the agency wide functions in these areas
Agency’s primary point of contact with state legislators and legislative staff and is authorized to speak on behalf of the department
Providing strategic judgments and decisions or establishing approaches, which could impact legislative and policy action
Setting standards and providing direction and leadership to staff, and guidance on the agency wide functions with regards to various policy and legislative actions
Assuming responsibility for the agency’s coordination and communication with external entities in addition to providing recommendations on legislative direction which affects all parts of the agency
Oversight and management of talented team members who’s function is working with legislative relations, the department’s Correspondence Unit, engage with the Office of Corrections Ombuds, provide administrative support and the Office of Tribal Relations
Serving as the agency’s primary point of contact with state legislators and legislative staff and speaking on behalf of the department
Qualifications
What we need (required qualifications):

At least eight years’ experience in two of the following areas
Managing policy development
Legislative relations
Inter-governmental coordination
OR

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, business administration, public administration, human services or related discipline
AND

At least four years’ experience in two of the following areas
Managing policy development
Legislative relations
Inter-governmental coordination
In addition to the above knowledge and skills, the following are also required KSA’s for the candidate of choice:

Intermediate knowledge of personnel management including setting expectations, evaluating performance, taking corrective or disciplinary action and hiring/terminating staff
Advanced level of demonstrated effective written and oral communication and presentation skills
Advanced knowledge of state government and policy issues, including the inter-relationships between agencies, programs
Advanced ability to communicate complex policy issues to internal and external audiences Advanced understanding of the legislative and political process
What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

Intermediate ability to communicate effectively, negotiate and resolve conflicts
Supplemental Information
Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position.
Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.
**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.
A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification 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. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time. Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite. Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a “drop in” area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
8 hours of paid sick leave per month
12 paid holidays a year
Generous retirement plan
Flex Spending Accounts
Dependent Care Assistance
Deferred Compensation and so much more!

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call us at 509-630-9160. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.