Employment Standards Special Program Manager

State of Washington•Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

L&I's Employment Standards Special Programs in the Division of Labor Standards (DLS) administers and enforces a broad portfolio of specialized labor protections that keep Washington workers safe, fairly paid, and treated with dignity on the job. This includes Hospital Staffing, Hospital Meal and Rest Breaks and Overtime Protections, Child Labor, Farm Labor Contracting, Pregnancy Accommodations, Transportation Network Companies, Protected Leave, Isolated Worker, Adult Entertainer, and Warehouse Worker/Quotas standards. We're looking for an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our Employment Standards Special Programs Manager. Reporting to the Deputy Assistant Director of DLS, this position leads a team of 48 FTEs and oversees an $11.2 million biennial operating budget, directing statewide policy development, rulemaking, legislative activity, and compliance enforcement across this full range of programs. This role also carries lead responsibility for implementing Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5217 (ESSB 5217). If you're an executive-level leader who thrives on translating complex labor law into clear statewide policy, building high-performing teams, and navigating high-stakes, high-visibility decisions — this could be your next career move. This position is based in a traditional office environment, working a standard Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. schedule. Teleworking is available in accordance with agency policy and operational needs, and occasional evening or weekend work may be required to meet business demands. Occasional travel to field offices and other locations for meetings and consultations is required.

Requirements

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in public or business administration, or a closely related field.
Additional qualifying experience substitutes for education at a rate of one year of experience per year of education.
Demonstrated competency in L&I's core areas: Safety, Customer-Centered Actions, Treats Others With Respect and Courtesy, Accountability and Dependability, Managing For Results, Leadership, Communication, Relationship Building, People Management.
Interpret and apply complex state and federal labor laws and regulations with sound, independent judgment.
Lead and develop a large, geographically dispersed team, including setting performance expectations and coaching for improvement.
Develop and manage complex program budgets independently.
Navigate legislative processes, including reviewing, advising on, and implementing current and proposed legislation.
Communicate clearly and persuasively, in writing and verbally, with audiences ranging from field staff to executive leadership and the media.
Exercise tact and diplomacy in highly sensitive political, public policy, and employee matters.
Analyze statistical and budget data to produce meaningful, actionable insights.
Negotiate and mediate disputes to reach fair, defensible resolutions.

Nice To Haves

At least four years of progressively responsible experience managing and administering a government program, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Strong understanding of state and federal labor law, with experience in negotiation and mediation related to compliance activities.
Experience with or knowledge of the legislative process, including reviewing, advising on, and implementing legislation.
Familiarity with state government operations, risk management, personnel management, policy development, budget administration, and rule development.
Skill in managing and leading teams, developing and monitoring budgets, facilitating group meetings, and solving complex operational problems.
Understanding of Federal requirements concerning labor laws (US Department of Labor).
Communicate effectively.
Support, coach, mentor, and train agency workforce.
Conduct public presentations, strategic planning, constituency contacts, and service.
Analyze statistical and budget information.
Interpret statutes, rules, and policies.
Assimilate and apply information to timely problem-solving and decision making.
Ability to delegate tasks and responsibilities.
Ability to represent the agency on labor law issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Managerial/Supervisory experience.
Understanding of Federal requirements (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Strategic organizational planning.
Performance management.
Federal and state budgeting process.
Statistical analysis.
Human resource management.

Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day leadership and direct the operations of the Employment Standards Special Programs team, ensuring service delivery aligns with agency policy and applicable law.
Oversee statewide administration and enforcement of Hospital Staffing, Hospital Meal and Rest Breaks and Overtime Protections, Child Labor, Farm Labor Contracting, Pregnancy Accommodations, Transportation Network Companies, Protected Leave, Isolated Worker, Adult Entertainer, and Warehouse Worker/Quotas programs.
Recommend legal actions, request legal advisory support, and develop and propose department-sponsored legislation, including review of and commentary on externally proposed legislation.
Direct rule promulgation, training, technical support, and policy development for programs statewide.
Make final decisions on the issuance of labor violation determinations (Notices of Assessment and Determinations of Compliance) and facilitate resolution through mediation and negotiation.
Manage human resources, budget, and operational functions for program staff, including recruitment, classification, training, performance management, and — when necessary — disciplinary action.
Develop and recommend the biennial budget and monitor implementation of adopted budgets, including a $2 million biennial budget for Attorney General legal costs.
Serve as a key public affairs contact, building and maintaining relationships with media, stakeholders, appointed boards and committees, and public and private officials.
Lead highly sensitive, political, or controversial projects and programs on behalf of the division.