Assistant Director of Compliance and Administration

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Established in 1949 by the Washington State Legislature, the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) is a state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Chapter 49.60 RCW is the WSHRC’s statutory authority. WSHRC enforces civil rights laws born from state and national civil rights movements. Under the law, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination at work, in housing, in a public accommodation, or when seeking credit and insurance. Any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against based on protected class status may file a charge of discrimination with the WSHRC. We are a neutral fact-finding agency, and we are deemed "substantially equivalent" to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). WSHRC does not provide legal advice or advocacy services. Discrimination complaints must be filed within specific time limits, as established by law. Our legal authority comes from Chapter 49.60 RCW. Despite being a small agency (fewer than 50 employees), we serve all Washington residents. The mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) is to prevent and eliminate discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources, and the establishment of productive partnerships in the community. The Assistant Director of Compliance and Administration reports directly to the agency’s Executive Director. The position is responsible for oversight and management of the day-to-day operations for two offices statewide: Olympia (the headquarters office), and a regional office in Spokane. The Assistant Director has direct supervision of the Administrative Service Manager, Administrative Services staff and the IT Systems Administrator Manager. The position in conjunction with the Executive Director is responsible for managing state budget allotments, approval of facility lease renewals and large equipment purchases. The position is responsible for the monitoring of annual federal funds for contracts (i.e. EEOC and HUD), interagency agreements, and memorandums of understanding. The internal incumbent selected for this role will supervise eight (8) full-time direct reports. (1) IT System Admin Manager (1) Administrative Service Manager (1) Data Consultant 2 (1) Customer Service Specialist 3 (2) Customer Service Specialist 2 (2) Office Assistant 1 This Assistant Director position is designated as critical in support of WSHR’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for emergency or disaster recovery. In accordance with guidance from the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), this position supports agency continuity by overseeing essential administrative functions, maintaining IT infrastructure operations, and serving as the agency’s Human Resources liaison to ensure continuity of mission-essential services during emergencies or disasters.

Requirements

Eight (8) years’ working in a legal setting, creating administrative processes, policy drafting, instituting recruitment and hiring criteria, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, maintaining confidentiality, and implementing performance management strategies.
A demonstrated track record in operational, financial, legal/compliance, risk management responsibilities
Associate’s degree emphasis on business, human resources, social or organizational behavior sciences or related field AND Six (6) years’ working in a legal setting, creating administrative processes, recruitment and hiring criteria, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, implementing risk control measures in contracts and procurement, writing policies for data security, records management, and workplace safety
Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis on business, human resources, social or organizational behavior sciences or related field AND Four (4) years’ working knowledge working in a legal setting, recruitment and hiring, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment and grace under pressure
Federal and state civil rights laws application
Understanding of federal agencies and the contractual relationship with the WSHRC
An understanding of the principles of state government including rules, policies and practices
Experience with and understanding of labor relations, collective bargaining agreements and negations
Experience with internal control standards for desk auditing of cash receipts, accounts payable, and human resources management
Understanding of oversight and responsibility for identifying risk according to State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM) principles and reporting standards

Nice To Haves

Effective oral and written communication skills
Effective team building skills, internally and with other state agencies, legislators and customers
Ability to lead, coach and motivate staff
Manage and prioritize agency operations in a timely, accurate and responsive manner
Work and make decisions independently, but with judgment as to when to confer with higher authority
Communicate complex issues and make recommendations to executive management
Commitment to quality, diversity and public service values

Responsibilities

Assures appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources and enhances the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities
Maintains the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and supports the State’s interest in hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, consistent with the principles of equity
Implements short- and long-term planning strategies that support the agency’s mission, goals and objectives in relation to the priorities of government
Ensures compliance with state government and federal funding requirements and monitors ongoing operational effectiveness
Supervises IT management and all agency staff interface regarding implementation of effective systems to process work activity, including performance tracking measures for the investigative staff
Sets and implements priorities and accountability systems and methods
Provides guidance and oversight on case tasks in investigations
Engages with Investigations Enforcement Managers to update Complaint Questionnaires to provide the necessary information that the investigators need during the intake process
Works with FEMA and other state agencies to create a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for agency
Prepares the agency’s readiness for Office of Financial Management (OFM) Engagement Survey mandates and process requirements
Serves as the primary point of contact for the agency regarding Your Washington, Executive Order compliance
Coordinates the implementation of the Procurement Inclusion & Equity (Pie) Program for the agency by updating the website regarding contract opportunities and tracking outreach events and vendor data
Provides policy and management direction for agency operations and administration
Researches, updates and formalizes content of all policies for Executive Director review and Collective Bargaining Agreement compliance
Plans, leads, organizes and controls work performed by the organization
Develops the agency’s strategic plan and monitors for accomplishment of objectives
Provides leadership and oversight to quality improvement efforts, including investigation case age reduction, customer service, and staff training and recognition
Determines and communicates the vision and direction of the agency
Sets priorities, goals and objectives, impacting operational systems and procedures, and the allocation of resources
Determines issues that involve Assistant Attorney General legal guidance and strategy to determine which cases move forward for prosecution
Monitors legislation interests that may potentially impact the agency
Manages state budget allotments, approval of facility lease renewals and large equipment purchases
Monitors annual federal funds for contracts (i.e. EEOC and HUD), interagency agreements, and memorandums of understanding