Deputy Director (WMS BAND 2)

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS), a Washington state agency, seeks a Deputy Director to lead executive operations, strategic policy development, and regulatory programs. Reporting to the Director, the Deputy Director will shape long-term planning, budget decisions, and licensee engagement strategies with statewide and national impact.

The role requires a professional license, extensive leadership experience, and a track record of collaborative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and active Washington PE/PLS license.
• Five years of executive leadership or business management experience.
• Eight years of knowledge of Engineers, Land Surveyors, licensing acts and Board rules.
• Strong communication and collaboration with agencies and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes proactive methods to gain compliance with professional standards.
• Manages investigations and compliance plans with various offices.
• Oversees Internal Control program using Lean methods.
• Oversees administrative, credentialing, and disciplinary actions.
• Directs performance of staff and budgets; aligns with Director.
• Represents BRPELS on national licensing committees.

Skills

Executive leadership

Regulatory compliance

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Budgeting & finance

Education

Bachelor's degree or WA PE/PLS license

Job description

Deputy Director

WMS BAND 2

The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. Anticipated starting date for this position is December 2026.

Note: Standard business hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. A flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.

Who we are:

The Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS) provides consumer protection to the public through the licensing of Professional Engineers (PE), Professional Land Surveyors (PLS) and On-site Wastewater Designers. The Board recommends rules and regulations for administering licensing and regulatory laws. BRPELS is a small agency that consists of eleven dedicated staff members who are knowledgeable in providing support and guidance for application of statute, laws, rules & policies on engineering, land surveying, and on-site practice. This agency is also responsible for investigating and resolving complaints, license verification and responding to general licensing questions. BRPELS is self-funded and fully supported by its licensing and registration fees.

For an in-depth understanding of the many services we provide, board meeting information, and how to contact BRPELS, we invite you to explore our website to learn more about the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

About this Opportunity:

This position reports directly to the Director and is the second in line of agency leadership. In the absence of the Director, the Deputy Director (DD) will perform all Director duties including, but not limited to, managing Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Under the authority and direction of the Director the DD will support the management of the administrative functions of the agency. All agency/board staff, except for the Executive Assistant and Communication Manager, will report directly to the DD. The incumbent will be part of the executive leadership of the Agency and be a significant influence on long term planning and fiscal goal setting and tracking agency performance measures as well general functions of the BRPELS mission. The results of the incumbent’s responsibilities have a statewide significance and will be a national level influence for the professions. This position requires a diplomatic, professionally mature, and trade knowledgeable professional to promote innovation and licensee engagement to keep our programs current, the impacts for success are an increase in the level of professionalism and ethics within the professions.

This position is directly engaged with other agencies and the public in developing State and National professional regulations, rules and policies within the regulated professions. The position is an integral member of the executive management team which develops and implements agency-wide policies and practices. Accordingly, this position has direct internal and external policy-setting impact.

In concurrence with the Director this position directly develops and implements the applications, development, and determination of the agencies administrative, fiscal, and programmatic policies, guidelines, and implementing procedures.

The budgetary responsibility of the Deputy Director role is to assist in the development of roughly one-third of the annual expenditure budget of $1,600,000 and staff responsible for 95% of the agency's operating revenue stream. Other financial influences include help in determining recommendations of fee and fine changes.

This position requires expert knowledge and experiences only obtainable by a Professional Licensee. The policy and rule changes developed thru the authority of this position effect and clarify the practice and regulatory requirements for the professions. Thus, the recommendations have significant impact on the agency mission and operational effectiveness. Significant risk is involved in decisions, which have statewide effects to the health safety and welfare of the public, and protection of the environment. Therefore, the position requires a professionally licensee’s analysis, of complex, unknown and unexplored areas, and a subject matter expert’s wisdom and knowledge to determine the risks, benefits, and direct a holistic and equitable decision.

This position will represent BRPELS on national licensing and professional committees and is an ambassador to the public representing the professions we regulate.

The Deputy Director manages seven full-time (FTE) direct reports:

• Investigator
• Regulatory Program Manager
• Internal Control Manager
• Licensing Staff

Duties associated with this position include

• Develops and executes proactive alternate methods of gaining compliance of the Registrants to ethical professional standards, and Statues/Rules governing the Professions (RCW 18.43, 18.210. 18.235, 58.09 and WAC 196, 246-272a, 332-120, 332-130).
• Serves as the case investigation program manager (which in part may be delegated to staff) working/coordinating with the Board assigned Case Manager, BRPELS compliance and investigations manager, and the Assistant Attorney General’s office to plan and execute the investigation and compliance plan.
• Participate, using expert technical knowledge of Washington State Professional Engineer laws, rules, and standard of practice, in the complaint investigation processes.
• Develops and oversees the Board’s Internal Control program using Lean Methods.
• Oversees and manages the administrative, credentialing, and disciplinary action monitoring responsibilities of the agency.
• Directs and evaluates performance of supervised staff and contracted employees in fulfilling the vision of the Director and meeting the Board’s regulatory and consumer protection mandates. Partner with staff on professional development goals and objectives and develop training plans for each, within allotted and available budgets.
• In partnership with the agency EA be responsible for high quality and cost-effective operations on a daily and long-term basis.
• Provides professional advice and makes independent decisions which appropriately balance organizational risk and opportunity.
• In close coordination with board members, works as the point person with associations, business, and other stakeholders in defining and modifying rules and policies.
• Initiate corrective steps to resolve internal conflicts in a timely manner.
• With a high level of diplomacy, able to resolve external conflicts to protect the public, profession, and agency.
• Develop methods to obtain and use data to make informed decisions and manage business strategy in the near and long term.
• Support and provide counsel to the Director on matters of agency policy.
• Exercise independent judgment within legal and agency HR policy frameworks related to interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring, recognizing, and developing personnel.
• Demonstrate ability to hold staff accountable, including giving clear direction, defined objectives, and managing performance based on agency policy and HR best practices.
• Manage staff schedules, including telecommuting, in a manner that ensures a balance between staff flexibility and desired work outcome.
• Maintain a Supervisor File and document all key interactions, reviews, issues, etc.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience to hold active Washington State Professional Land Surveying or Professional Engineer license
• Five years of executive leadership or business management experience

Required Skills & Abilities:

• A minimum of eight (8) years of knowledge of Engineers, Land Surveyors, OS Site, licensing acts and Board rules.
• Familiarity with the Public Records Act, including the risks associated with failure to comply with requests for public records disclosure.
• Knowledge and successful application of contemporary management theory and practices as well as demonstrated ability to promote a positive work environment.
• Five (5) years of experience working with government organization and administrative procedures; government functions; office methods and procedures; research and data collection; departmental policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and in speech; proofreading skills; ability to obtain the cooperation of other agencies and other internal staff sections; ability to work effectively with others.
• Current Washington State Professional Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer license.

Key Competencies Expected:

• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Believes that the results achieved directly result from his/her personal decisions and actions. Acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Doesn't make excuses for errors or problems but learns from his/her mistakes.
• Teamwork - Fulfills commitments to other team members. Promotes a friendly climate, good morale, and cooperation among team members. Puts team success ahead of individual success. Makes sure that the practical needs of the team are met. Protects and promotes the agency's reputation with outsiders. Takes charge when it is necessary to facilitate an action or decision. Creates a feeling of belonging on the team.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Meets changing conditions and situations in work responsibilities. Accepts constructive criticism and suggestions and uses them to advantage. Deals with anger, frustration and disappointment in a mature manner. Maintains objectivity in conflict situations and seeks acceptable solutions.
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacts with Board Members, management, staff, public and others in a positive manner. Demonstrates understanding that individuals have different perspectives and communication styles. Practices active listening. Is open and honest. Treats others with respect, kindness and consideration.
• Productivity - Produces quality, desired results in an efficient manner. Manages resources efficiently. Is self-motivated.
• Dependability - Follows through on assignments and provides completed work.
• Confidentiality - Maintains the confidentiality of ongoing enforcement actions and follows the proper public disclosure process when these requests are made.
• Organizational Skills - Has good organizational skills and tracks work needed, responses due, keeps databases up to date and maintains files so that others can locate them when needed.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

• All the above PLUS 4-years in government organization in management or supervisory professional position.

Equity Competencies

• Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.

• Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.

Special Requirements/ Condition of Employment

• Current Washington State Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) registration.

Background Check Notice:

Prior to any new appointment into a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. 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.

Washington Fair Chance Act

We are committed to providing equitable access to employment opportunities. If a criminal background check is required for employment at an agency, it will occur only after a conditional offer of employment has been made and accepted.

Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history during the hiring process prior to a conditional offer. Criminal history will not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration and will be reviewed on an individual basis consistent with applicable law and the requirements of the position.

Learn more about the Washington Fair Chance Act: