L&I DOSH Rulemaking Program Manager (WMS2)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 72,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Telework eligible

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), is seeking a Rulemaking Program Manager to lead workplace safety rulemaking projects from start to finish. You will guide proposed rules through all stages, engage employers, workers, and other interested parties, and ensure standards are clear, effective, and legally sound.

The position offers flexible scheduling and telework with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Three or more years of experience writing, evaluating, and implementing rules.
• Two or more years of progressive responsible management and leadership experience in regulatory enforcement.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead rulemaking projects from concept to adoption.
• Prepare rulemaking documents under the APA and WAC (pre-proposals, proposals, adoption notices).
• Monitor federal OSHA changes and keep WA standards aligned.
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings, hearings, and public engagements.
• Coordinate with DOSH staff, AGs, economists on analyses and rule language.
• Draft clear rule language and publish public-facing materials.

Skills

Project management

Policy writing

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, communications, computer science, statistics, economics, public safety or health, or related field

Job description

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Help Shape the Rules That Keep Washington Workers Safe

Do you thrive on turning complex technical and legal requirements into clear, workable rules? Are you skilled at keeping projects on track, bringing people together, and getting results?

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), is looking for a Rulemaking Program Manager to lead workplace safety and health rulemaking projects from start to finish.

As the Rulemaking Program Manager in DOSH’s Policy and Technical Services program, you will guide proposed rules through every stage of the rulemaking process. You will coordinate technical experts, engage employers, workers, and other interested parties, and make sure Washington’s safety and health standards are clear, effective, and legally sound.

This is your opportunity to do more than manage a process. You will help shape the standards that protect workers across Washington.

The salary offer will be based on the candidate’s job-related skills, experience and training. The target pay range of consideration for this exempt position is typically $81,984-119,628 annually. The full band pay range is $72,420-$132,924 annually.

At L&I, our Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is on a mission to keep Washington’s workers safe and healthy. We administer the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), Chapter 49.17 RCW, by developing and enforcing workplace safety and health standards that protect workers from hazardous job conditions.

We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. This position can be offered with a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 5/8’s, etc.) once fully trained and approved by management.

This position is eligible teleworking, with occasional travel for public hearings, stakeholder meetings, and outreach events, depending on business needs and supervisor approval.

Learn more about DOSH here: 50 Years of DOSH

Duties

Some of what you will do: This role is pivotal in maintaining Washington’s status as an OSHA-approved State Plan program, one that is “at least as effective” as the federal standard.

• Lead rulemaking projects. Manage safety and health rulemaking projects from initial concept through adoption, including project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Navigate the rulemaking process. Prepare and track required rulemaking documents and filings under the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 34.05 RCW) and the Washington Administrative Code (Title 296 WAC), such as pre-proposal statements of inquiry, proposals, and adoption notices.
• Keep Washington at least as effective as OSHA. Monitor federal OSHA rule changes and help ensure Washington’s standards are adopted, updated, or amended within required timeframes.
• Engage interested parties. Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings, advisory committees, public hearings, and comment periods. Work with employers, workers, industry associations, and labor organizations to gather input.
• Coordinate the experts. Work with DOSH technical staff, Assistant Attorneys General, economists, and other L&I programs to develop rule language and the supporting analyses (such as cost-benefit analyses and small business economic impact statements).
• Make rules understandable. Draft and review rule language, summaries, and public-facing materials in clear, plain language without losing technical or legal accuracy.
• Respond to the public. Review and summarize public comments and help prepare responses that explain the agency’s decisions.
• Keep everyone informed. Provide status updates, briefings, and reports to DOSH leadership and other partners, and flag risks and issues early.
• Support implementation. Help communicate adopted rules to staff and the public, including related guidance, fact sheets, and outreach.
• And other impactful work that supports our mission.

Driving is an essential function of this position. The incumbent is required to travel between worksites or meeting locations to perform assigned duties and must operate a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or personally owned vehicle (POV), as appropriate. Use of a POV will be reimbursed at the current state mileage reimbursement rate.

What makes you a great fit?

You bring a strong foundation in workplace safety and health, or in regulatory and policy work, and you know how to keep complex projects moving. In addition to your innovating thinking, you can bring together people with different perspectives and turn their input into clear, practical rules.

You are someone who:

• Has experience managing projects, from planning and scheduling through delivery.
• Understands how state rulemaking works and how regulations are developed, reviewed, and adopted.
• Has sound knowledge of occupational safety and health, or the ability to quickly learn technical subject matter and work with experts.
• Writes and communicates complex information in clear, plain language.
• Facilitates meetings and builds productive relationships with employers, workers, labor, industry, and agency partners.
• Uses sound judgment, research, and problem-solving skills to resolve competing needs and deadlines.
• Pays close attention to detail while keeping sight of the big picture.
• Is comfortable using technology to manage projects, documents, and public engagement.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Communications, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Public Safety or Health, or related field or related experience.
• Three (3) or more years of experience in writing, evaluating, and implementing rules, policies and regulations for a municipal, county, state or federal government organization or other similar organization.
• Two (2) or more years of progressive responsible management and leadership experience showing successful performance management to reach targeted results in a complex matrix program or organization that provided regulatory enforcement functions in occupational safety and health.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted driver’s license.

Other Required Qualifications

• Effective public speaking and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead problem solving activities to improve program performance.
• Expert knowledge of public sector management and leadership principles.
• Experience in and expert knowledge of federal and state occupational safety and health programs, policies and regulations.
• Skills to manage perceptions in a highly political environment, build partnerships, and address multiple issues to include competing priorities and diverse interests of internal and external parties.
• Ability to lead problem-solving activities to improve program performance.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow - Demonstrates initiative and accountability in pursuing opportunities for personal and professional development. Actively seeks feedback, acquires new knowledge or skills, and applies learning to improve performance and contribute to organizational success.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others - Demonstrates responsiveness and initiative in identifying, understanding, and addressing the needs of colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. Acts with empathy and accountability to provide timely support, resolve concerns, and deliver value that strengthens relationships and organizational outcomes.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Communications, Computer Science, Statistics, Economics, Public Safety or Health, or related field.
• Juris Doctor
• Three (3) years of experience as a Project Manager and/or Business Analyst.
• One(1) year of experience as a Lean, Six Sigma, and/or Agile facilitator.

Bring your project management skills. Bring your commitment to clear, fair rules. Help us make Washington’s workplaces safer.

Join L&I and help us Keep Washington Safe and Working.

See all of our current L&I DOSH position openings here: Current L&I DOSH open positions

Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington’s 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

Background Check Notice:

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record, will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver’s license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of 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 on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America’s Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington’s 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s [e-mail]

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the recruiter, Steve Camerer, at [e-mail]