Public Records Unit Supervisor

Washington State Health Care Authority; Tumwater (WA); Remote; USD 99,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote/telework/flexible schedules

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

Job summary

Washington State Department of Corrections is seeking a Public Records Unit Supervisor (Communications Consultant 4) to plan, organize, and direct the work of Communications Consultant 3s within the Public Records Unit. You will oversee requests, ensure compliance with statutes, and drive timely responses.

The role emphasizes research, cross‑agency collaboration, and training staff on PRA procedures, while maintaining accurate reporting of statewide public records statistics and supporting

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of Public Disclosure experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise Communications Consultant 3s within the Public Records Unit.
• Ensure Public Records requests are processed in accordance with policy, and state/federal regulations.
• Monitor, train and supervise staff using appropriate audit methods.
• Ensure timely responses as established by WAC and RCW rules.
• Plan, assign and direct staff to disseminate agency information/records.
• Conduct timely performance evaluations and regular staff meetings.
• Provide expert technical expertise on public disclosure issues.
• Assist Public Records Officer with responses to public records act litigation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Public Disclosure experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, or related field

Job description

Public Records Unit Supervisor

(Communications Consultant 4)

Full Time | Permanent

Location: Headquarters | Tumwater, WA

Salary Range: $99,036 - $133,200 Annually

This position is represented by the Teamsters 117 bargaining unit.

The Washington State Department of Corrections has an exciting opportunity for a servant leader to join the Information Governance team as a Public Records Unit Supervisor (Communications Consultant 4)! The goal of this position is to plan, organize and direct the work conducted by the Communication Consultant 3’s within the Public Records Unit!

As a Public Records Unit Supervisor, you will be responsible for the oversight of tracking, compiling and reporting of statewide public records/information statistics related to agency workload and litigation costs. This data will be analyzed to ensure agency-wide compliance and identify potential target areas to improve efficiency in disseminating public records/information.

The candidate of choice will support the agency by serving as an agency expert on facilitating internal/external document exchanges on public records/information matters. You will work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable rules and laws.

We are searching for an individual who enjoys research, can multi-task, is flexible and will contribute to the Department’s objectives by ensuring that public records deadlines, processes and policies are clearly articulated and in adherence to applicable statutes.

As a Communications Consultant 4, some of your duties will include:

• Managing and supervising the Public Records Unit Communications Consultant 3’s which may include:
  • Ensuring Public Records requests are processed in accordance with policy, as well as state and federal regulations
  • Ensuring consistency with Public Records processes throughout the agency
  • Monitoring, providing training, and directly supervising staff using appropriate audit methods
  • Ensuring constituents receive a timely response as established by WAC and RCW rules
  • Planning, assigning and coordinating and directing staff in their work in accordance with policy, WAC, RCW’s and case law to ensure proper dissemination of agency information/records
  • Conducting performance evaluations on a timely basis
  • Organizing and conducting regular one on one and team staff meetings in order to promote more understanding around the PRA so staff are properly equipped to properly respond to public records issues
• Providing Expert Technical Expertise on Public Disclosure Issues
• Assisting the Public Records Officer in managing responses to public records act litigation on behalf of the agency
• Other duties as assigned

What we need (required qualifications):

• High school diploma or equivalent
• A minimum of three (3) or more years of Public Disclosure experience. *Public Disclosure Experience: For purposes of this recruitment, public disclosure experience means direct, hands‑on experience processing public records/public disclosure requests, including reviewing responsive records, applying or identifying applicable statutory exemptions or redactions, communicating with requesters, and/or managing the workload and requirements associated with responding to public records requests. General records management, maintaining confidential records, or working with documents does not, by itself, constitute public disclosure experience.

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business, or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or a foreign equivalent
• One (1) year or more supervisory OR lead worker experience

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. See 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!

PERS: 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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email [e-mail] 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.