L&I DOSH Rulemaking Program Manager (WMS2)

State of Washington • Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), is hiring a Rulemaking Program Manager in its Policy and Technical Services program. The position leads workplace safety and health rulemaking projects from initial concept through adoption, helping ensure Washington’s standards are clear, effective, legally sound, and at least as effective as federal OSHA standards. The role coordinates technical experts and engages employers, workers, labor organizations, industry associations, and other interested parties throughout the rulemaking process.

The position is eligible for teleworking, with occasional travel for public hearings, stakeholder meetings, and outreach events, depending on business needs and supervisor approval. Flexible schedules, such as four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days, may be available once fully trained and approved by management. Driving is an essential function; the employee must travel between worksites or meeting locations and operate a state-issued, motor pool, or personally owned vehicle as appropriate. Personally owned vehicle mileage is reimbursed at the state rate.

This is an exempt position. The target pay range is $81,984–$119,628 annually, with a full band range of $72,420–$132,924 annually. Applicants must submit a policy-development writing sample of five pages or less. L&I may use the announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, communications, computer science, statistics, economics, public safety or health, a related field, or related experience.
• At least three years of experience writing, evaluating, and implementing rules, policies, and regulations for a municipal, county, state, or federal government organization or similar organization.
• At least two years of progressive responsible management and leadership experience demonstrating successful performance management to reach targeted results in a complex matrix program or organization providing occupational safety and health regulatory enforcement functions.
• Valid and unrestricted driver’s license.
• 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.
• Ability to manage perceptions in a highly political environment, build partnerships, and address multiple issues, competing priorities, and diverse interests of internal and external parties.
• Demonstrated initiative and accountability in pursuing personal and professional development, seeking feedback, acquiring knowledge or skills, and applying learning to improve performance.
• Responsiveness and initiative in identifying and addressing the needs of colleagues, stakeholders, and customers with empathy and accountability.
• Applicants must provide a cover letter describing specific qualifications, a current resume, a policy-development writing sample of five pages or less, and at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
• Candidates offered the position must have work authorization that does not require current or future employer visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in business administration, public administration, communications, computer science, statistics, economics, public safety or health, or a related field.
• Juris Doctor.
• Three years of experience as a Project Manager and/or Business Analyst.
• One year of experience as a Lean, Six Sigma, and/or Agile facilitator.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety and health rulemaking projects from concept through adoption, managing project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Prepare and track required rulemaking documents and filings under the Administrative Procedure Act and Washington Administrative Code, including pre-proposal statements of inquiry, proposals, and adoption notices.
• Monitor federal OSHA rule changes and help ensure Washington standards are adopted, updated, or amended within required timeframes.
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder meetings, advisory committees, public hearings, and comment periods; gather input from employers, workers, industry associations, and labor organizations.
• Coordinate with DOSH technical staff, Assistant Attorneys General, economists, and other L&I programs to develop rule language and supporting analyses, including cost-benefit analyses and small business economic impact statements.
• Draft and review rule language, summaries, and public-facing materials in clear, plain language while maintaining technical and legal accuracy.
• Review and summarize public comments and help prepare responses explaining agency decisions.
• Provide status updates, briefings, and reports to DOSH leadership and partners, and identify risks and issues early.
• Support implementation of adopted rules through communications, guidance, fact sheets, and outreach.
• Travel between worksites or meeting locations and operate a state-issued, motor pool, or personally owned vehicle as needed.
• Perform other work supporting the agency’s mission.

Benefits

• Generous retirement package for qualifying state employees at the end of their careers.
• Competitive benefits package.
• Flexible schedules may be available after training and management approval.
• Mileage reimbursement at the current state rate when a personally owned vehicle is used for state business.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager