Deputy Director (WMS 3) DOH8998
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Health is seeking a Deputy Director for the Office of Enterprise Risk Management (OERM) within CFRA. The role leads diverse programs, coordinates operations, and translates priorities into action.
You will partner with executives to manage risk, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement across the office while guiding staff development and organizational change. This remote, home‑based role is open to Washington residents and those in Oregon and Idaho,
Qualifications
- Advanced knowledge and experience interpreting laws, regulations, and best practices in public disclosure, audit, privacy, or risk management (within last 10 years).
- 5+ years in management or oversight leadership across programs such as public disclosure, audit, civil rights, privacy, risk management, or legal affairs.
- Ability to advise executive leaders and develop organization‑wide policies and procedures.
- Experience leading cross‑program initiatives and organizational change.
- Experience supervising staff and producing executive level reports and analyses.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction and oversee day‑to‑day coordination of OERM and CFRA programs.
- Translate priorities into actionable strategies, work plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Serve as the Director’s delegate and maintain leadership continuity across the office.
- Represent OERM in agency initiatives and lead legislative/rulemaking coordination.
- Oversee budget and fiscal activities for OERM.
- Foster partnerships across DOH and external stakeholders and drive cross‑agency collaboration.
- Guide staff through policy changes, risk management, and compliance efforts.
- Improve systems and processes for efficiency and accountability.
Skills
Job description
Deputy Director, Office of Enterprise Risk Management (WMS 3)
Center for Facilities, Risk and Adjudication
This home-based (remote) position is open to Washington residents and those living in Oregon and Idaho only.
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is seeking an experienced leader to serve as the Deputy Director of the Office of Enterprise Risk Management (OERM), within the Center for Facilities, Risk and Adjudication (CFRA).
The Office of Enterprise Risk Management brings together more than 50 FTEs across Public Disclosure, Information Governance and Records Management, Privacy, External Audit and Internal Controls, Enterprise Risk Management, Workplace Safety, and Civil Rights and ADA. Together, these teams help DOH navigate complex challenges and manage risk, safeguard information, promote transparency and accountability, support equitable access, and meet legal and regulatory requirements.
The Deputy Director provides leadership across these varied functions, working closely with the OERM Director and program leaders to coordinate operations, anticipate and address complex challenges, strengthen systems and processes, and translate agency and office priorities into meaningful action. This position serves as a key thought partner to the Director and a core member of the OERM leadership team, with delegated authority to act on behalf of the Director when needed.
This is an opportunity for a strategic and collaborative leader to bring together people, programs, and perspectives to strengthen how this office supports the Department of Health and advances its mission to protect and improve the health of people in Washington.
- Partner with the OERM Director to provide strategic and operational direction, establish priorities, and advance shared goals across OERM.
- Provide day‑to‑day leadership and coordination across OERM’s diverse programs and functions.
- Translate agency and office priorities into actionable strategies, work plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Serve as the Director’s delegate when needed and provide continuity of leadership across the office.
- Serve as CFRA’s lead subject matter expert for legislative and rulemaking activities, coordinating CFRA’s response to proposed legislation, and helping program leaders understand and prepare for potential impacts.
- Oversee and manage budget and fiscal activities for OERM.
- Build strong working relationships with executive leaders, program managers, and internal and external partners across DOH.
- Identify opportunities for OERM to work across organizational boundaries and develop coordinated approaches to agency needs.
- Help translate OERM’s expertise into practical guidance and solutions for staff across the agency.
- Represent OERM in agency‑wide initiatives, leadership discussions, and strategic projects.
- Provide guidance to program staff and agency leaders as they navigate emerging challenges, competing risks and priorities, and legal, policy, and operational considerations. Facilitate problem‑solving and help identify strategic solutions.
- Help ensure OERM programs are well‑positioned to support agency compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Strengthen organizational practices that promote accountability, transparency, privacy, civil rights and equitable access, workplace safety, and responsible stewardship of agency resources.
- Anticipate emerging issues and develop strategies to address them proactively.
- Evaluate office‑wide systems, processes, and practices to identify and advance opportunities for greater coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness.
- Use data, staff and partner perspectives, and continuous improvement practices to inform decision‑making and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Help develop sustainable approaches to operational challenges and changing office and agency needs.
- Lead the development, implementation, maintenance, and review of agency policies and procedures related to OERM programs and activities.
- Support OERM program leaders in navigating priorities, solving problems, delivering results, and advancing effective performance management and continuous improvement .
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and shared responsibility, where people feel heard and supported, and their ideas, strengths, and perspectives are valued.
- Support leaders and staff through organizational change, emerging challenges, and evolving priorities.
- Help cultivate strong connections across OERM’s teams and with partners throughout the agency.
- Promote employee engagement, professional development, and opportunities for growth.
- Supervise assigned staff, while also providing leadership, guidance, and support to other leaders and staff across the office.
This role offers the opportunity to influence work that reaches across every part of the Washington State Department of Health. OERM’s programs play an essential role in protecting information, promoting transparency and accountability, supporting civil rights and equitable access, managing risk, and ensuring safe and effective workplaces.
The Deputy Director will work alongside experienced program leaders and agency partners while helping bring together a wide range of expertise toward common goals. For a leader who enjoys solving complex problems, improving systems, building strong partnerships, and developing people—and who finds meaning in helping an organization work better for the people it serves.
There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.
Advanced knowledge and experience interpreting and applying laws, regulations, and best practices in public disclosure/public records, audit, civil rights compliance, privacy compliance, or risk management. (Must have been gained within the last ten (10) years.)
Five (5) or more years of management‑or oversight‑level leadership experience, demonstrating experience in each of the following:
- Overseeing and managing programs in public disclosure/public records, audit, civil rights compliance, privacy compliance, risk management, or legal affairs
- Providing legal and risk‑based guidance to executive‑level leaders on complex and sensitive matters
- Developing and implementing organization‑wide policies and procedures
- Leading significant initiatives involving organizational change, process improvement, or systems transformation that require coordination across programs
- Supervising, leading, and developing staff
- Preparing executive‑level written reports, legislative/policy analyses, and recommendations on complex legal or regulatory matters
While these aren’t required, having them can help you stand out as a candidate.
- A balance of assertiveness and diplomacy, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively with a team of professionals, both internal and external to an organization.
- Experience working in government, healthcare, or another highly regulated or complex environment.
- Experience leading or coordinating enterprise‑wide initiatives involving multiple programs, functions, and organizational partners, and facilitating collaboration across complex organizations with competing priorities, perspectives, and interests.
- Experience overseeing or conducting monitoring, audits, or investigations. For example: privacy incident investigations, civil rights investigations, employee investigations, internal or external government audits.
- Education or professional certification in a relevant field, such as law (JD), public administration (MPA), privacy (e.g., CIPM, CIPP, CIPT), auditing (e.g., CIA, CGAP), public disclosure (e.g., WAPRO certification), enterprise risk management (e.g., CRM, CRMP, CRMA), project management (e.g., PMP), or accounting (e.g., CPA).
We offer a solid benefits package that supports you and your family’s health, financial security, and work‑life balance. You’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and long‑term disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, and retirement plans that help you plan for tomorrow while you’re living today. Paid holidays, vacation and sick leave help you recharge, and additional programs like dependent care assistance and professional development opportunities add value beyond basic coverage. Join us and enjoy benefits designed to care for you as much as you care about public health. Learn more about DOH benefits and see how we support your life at work and beyond by visiting Work@Health.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 non‑overtime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
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.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(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 WAC 357‑58‑175, 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.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
We're nearly 2,700 professionals across Washington working together to protect and improve community health. Guided by our values of Equity, Innovation, and Engagement, we address health disparities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen systems that support resilience.
At DOH, we help reduce barriers, collaborate with diverse communities, and champion equitable health outcomes. We're passionate people who are driven to make a difference in public health. Our work depends on people who take action to learn and grow and who take action to meet the needs of others every day, in service of a healthier Washington. Explore more about the Department of Health, our programs, and our impact by visiting our website.
- This position may work from home, a DOH facility, or remotely from an alternate location. The official duty station for this position is home-based. If onsite work is requested by the supervisor, the request will be planned and communicated in advance.
- The work is fast paced with many demands and multiple priorities and primarily involves working at a computer.
- Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in indoor at home or office environments. This position is sedentary, working at a computer for extended periods.
- Due to the operational and supervisory nature of the position, the schedule will be Monday through Friday. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required to fulfill the responsibilities of this position. An alternative work schedule will be considered, subject to approval.
- This position may need to work more than 40 hours per week to meet critical deadlines or address workload peaks such as during legislative session.
- This position may require travel to the Tumwater DOH location, and occasionally to other DOH locations. Occasional travel in‑state and out‑of‑state may also be needed to attend conferences and events, but not frequently.
- Work is performed using standard office furniture, equipment, and software such as a laptop,
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