Law & Justice Program Manager (WMS2)

Washington State Health Care Authority; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Licensing is seeking a Law and Justice Program Manager to lead program operations and statewide initiatives across driver and vehicle licensing domains. The role emphasizes collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and agency partners to ensure compliant, equitable, and efficient services.

You will coordinate policy development, training programs, and process improvements while engaging diverse stakeholders to advance the agency’s mission and public safety goals.

Qualifications

• Nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, program management, project management, operations management, policy implementation, or related field.
• Experience must include supervisory or management responsibility for staff; program or operational oversight; budget, project, or organizational resource management.
• Experience managing significant complex changes within an organization using organizational change tools and practices.
• Experience translating complex information for diverse audiences and collaborating with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage program operations, strategic initiatives, and priorities to ensure alignment with agency goals and legislative requirements.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver statewide training and operational guidance for law enforcement, court personnel, and agency staff.
• Ensure programs and partners comply with accessibility, language access, equity, and customer service standards.
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex operational, legal, policy, compliance, and customer service issues; provide informed recommendations.
• Develop and implement statewide policies, procedures, and process controls across division programs.

Skills

Program management

Administration

Policy implementation

Stakeholder relationships

Communication

Education

Higher degree in political science/public policy/business administration

Job description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

This employment opportunity is open to current DOL employees only.

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Programs and Services Division (PSD) is recruiting for a Law and Justice Program Manager to strengthen connections across systems and operations, lead continuous improvement efforts, and champion collaboration with law enforcement, courts, and agency partners.

As one of the most visible state agencies and the second-largest revenue generator in Washington State, we engage with over 6 million residents each year and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees. We understand that our services are vital to the daily lives of our customers, enabling them to live, work, drive, and thrive. We take this responsibility to heart and are dedicated to providing equitable and meaningful access to our services for every resident.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career at the Department of Licensing as an expert consultant, and spokesperson for the agency and division on procedural, policy, legal matters, and training related to the driver and vehicle licensing programs, please read on!

The Programs and Services Division (PSD) manages statewide programs, policy, and operational support related to driver, vehicle, and vessel licensing and records. PSD supports the agency’s mission, values, and strategic goals through oversight of licensing, records management, regulatory compliance, investigations, sanctions, customer service, and public safety programs.

As the Law and Justice Program Manager you will report to the Programs and Services Division Assistant Director. You will interact with all levels of division and agency personnel, prosecuting and defense attorneys, law enforcement, Attorney General’s Office, legislative staff, court personnel, other state and federal agencies, and the public. As the primary liaison and educator for law enforcement agencies, courts, prosecutors, and other governmental partners in promoting consistent interpretation and application of legal and regulatory requirements across the state your ability to communicate will be crucial to your success. Much of your time will be spent leading continuous process improvement and organizational change initiatives by evaluating workflows, identifying operational efficiencies, implementing improvements, and supporting adoption of new business processes, technologies, and legislative requirements.

Some of what you will do:

• Manage program operations, strategic initiatives, and organizational priorities to ensure alignment with agency mission, vision, goals, executive direction, and legislative requirements.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver statewide training, education, and operational guidance to law enforcement agencies, court personnel, agency employees, etc. to promote consistent interpretation and application of licensing laws related to records, reporting requirements, and agency procedures.
• Ensure programs, contractors, and business partners comply with applicable federal and state requirements related to accessibility, language access, equity, operational standards, and customer service expectations.
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex operational, legal, policy, compliance, and customer service issues; provide recommendations and make decisions that support consistent, equitable, legally compliant, and effective outcomes.
• Develop, modify, and implement statewide operational policies, procedures, and process controls impacting division programs, agency staff, business partners, customers, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other governmental entities.
• Review, analyze, and provide recommendations regarding legislative proposals, fiscal notes, budget impacts, operational impacts, and implementation requirements for the program.
• Influence statewide public safety, regulatory compliance, customer service outcomes, accessibility, and operational consistency through program oversight, policy direction, and implementation of agency initiatives.

What you will bring to the position:

• Nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional experience in administration, program management, project management, operations management, policy implementation, or related field.

• Experience must include:

  • Supervisory or management responsibility for staff; program or operational oversight; budget, project, or organizational resource management.
  • Managing significant complex changes within an organization using sound organizational change management tools and practices.
  • Managing programs, projects, or operations, including developing and implementing policies, procedures, and process improvements to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively.
  • Establishing and maintaining professional relationships with internal and external partners, presenting complex information clearly, and facilitating collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution.

• Demonstrated ability to convey complex information through effective presentations, training sessions, reports, and other communication formats.

• Skilled at selecting appropriate instructional techniques and digital tools to support audience understanding and engagement.

• Ability to:

  • Be flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people you work with and serve.
  • Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors and decisions.
  • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
  • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

* Experience can be gained concurrently *

* Up to four (4) years of relevant education may substitute year for year for experience.

What may help set you apart:

• A higher degree in political science, public policy, business administration, or another field relevant to the position’s responsibilities.
• Experience working with user interfaces and web-based applications (e.g., DRIVES, OMNIXX) to input and retrieve data from department-specific databases, systems, or applications.
• Familiarity with federal and state driver licensing and vehicle licensing laws, judicial rulings, administrative rules, and agency policies and procedures.
• Experience participating in the state legislative process including bill and fiscal impact analysis.

Additional Requirements of Employment:

• The ability to work in-person two days a week or more as business needs arise.
• The ability to travel overnight and out of state.
• Prior to a new hire, a preemployment check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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.
• In addition, an acceptable fingerprint based criminal history background check is also required for this position, as a condition of employment. Fingerprints will be used to check the criminal history records of the FBI. You will have the capability to review and challenge any record through the FBI.

DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For additional information about the position, available accommodations, or the interview process, contact Dawn Loduha.

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice

To take advantage of your veteran / military spouse preference please attach documentation of eligibility to your application.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email the Talent Acquisition Team. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360-339-7344.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.