• Job Description

  Req#: 4988952

  
  

  
  

  The Salary listed includes a 3% general wage increase that was effective 7/1/2025.

  
  

  
  

  Initially this position will have a roving duty station with the potential for some hybrid work. Travel may be required to offices in the Southwest Coastal Region including Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston Counties. Once a new office is established in Grays Harbor, the incumbent’s primary duty station will be Aberdeen, WA.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  The ideal candidate is a dynamic and forward-thinking leader who thrives in a collaborative, performance-driven environment. They bring a deep understanding of workforce development programs, with a demonstrated ability to lead integrated service delivery across multi-agency partnerships. With experience supervising diverse teams and overseeing Career Services, RESEA initiatives, and local Labor Exchange activities, they are skilled at aligning daily operations with high-level strategic goals while driving toward superior customer outcomes .

  
  

  
  

  This leader excels at balancing big-picture vision with day-to-day execution. They are fluent in Lean methodology, Human Centered Design, and the principles of Leader-Leader collaboration, and they foster a work culture rooted in engagement, equity, and continuous improvement. Their ability to train, mentor, and inspire staff makes them a catalyst for professional growth and program success. They proactively manage resources, contracts, and performance measures to ensure program compliance and long-term sustainability.

  
  

  
  

  A natural relationship builder, the ideal candidate partners effectively with internal teams, local businesses, and external stakeholders. They set ambitious but attainable goals, create clear expectations, and adapt strategically in pursuit of the agency’s mission and vision. With both strategic acumen and operational fluency, they are ready to champion workforce excellence and community impact at WorkSource Grays Harbor.

  
  

  Manage day-to-day teams to achieve performance measures; conduct recruitment and hiring functions; supervise, train and guide staff working in various programs, services, and positions. This includes:

  
  

  • Develop and support high-performance, integrated work-team management approaches, consensus-based decision–making and continuous quality improvement practices.

  
  

  
  

  • Plan, schedule, assign and direct work activities; guide, coach, and mentor staff; provide and/or authorize staff training and professional/career development.

  
  

  
  

  • Review and interpret state and federal rules and regulations; inform staff of agency changes and adjustments; ensure policies and procedures are understood and followed; design and deliver related training.

  
  

  
  

  Oversee department contracts, programs, and services to meet or exceed performance measures; establish measurable goals and expectations, initiatives, and indicators in support of the agency mission, vision, business goals, workforce and WorkSource system. This includes:

  
  

  • Manage and monitor established performance measures; review and reconcile performance reports from different data bases and sources; analyze regulatory standards and achieved outcomes for compliance and accountability; present performance information; identify best practices and/or strategies for improvements and training; recommend and initiate improvements.

  
  

  
  

  • Manage financial programs budgets and safeguard agency resources and assets; manage program performance and allowable/accurate purchases and expenditures; perform financial transactions and/or commit fiscal resources; approve vouchers; negotiate contracts.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  • Develop and promote continuous quality improvement service delivery processes to meet the changing needs of the customer and agency; deliver services based on customer response and feedback; schedule program services and activities; respond to data and information requests from internal and external customers; resolve customer issues and complaints.

  
  

  
  

  Develop and maintain relationships with businesses and partners. This includes:

  
  

  • Participate in all WorkSource activities; maintain a high level of communication with customers, regional directors, administrators, staff, and partnering agencies regarding program directives, training information, workshops, and related coordination; meet regularly with partner agencies to promote integration and ensure high-quality customer service to co-enrolled customers; work with area teams to establish or modify processes or procedures and resolve problems.

  
  

  
  

  • Network with leadership and participate in community meetings and events; engage in public relation presentations, forums, and partnership functions; research and recommend leveraging of resources and development of new programs; communicate and work closely with internal and external partners

  
  

  
  

  • Act as liaison for the organization between customers, community, and government; support and create opportunities for increased integration with internal and external partners; represent ESD with diverse audiences including stakeholders.

  
  

  
  

  To request a detailed position description, click here

  
  

  • One year experience as a WorkSource Specialist 5 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency.

  
  

  
  

  • OR Two years of experience as a WorkSource Specialist 4 or equivalent class within the Employment Security Department, or another state’s Employment Security agency AND one year experience as a designated lead.

  
  

  
  

  • OR A Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience in workforce development, social or human resource services, public relations, or public contact work, such as: unemployment insurance, social services, human resource services, education, public relations, benefits programs, insurance claims, law enforcement and banking

  
  

  
  

  • OR a combination of education and/or relevant experience, which includes one year experience as a designated lead.

  
  

  Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  
  

  • Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

  
  

  Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.

  
  

  Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the Add Attachments field. A resume will not substitute for the work experience section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as see attachments may be considered incomplete.

  
  

  
  

  Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

  
  

  Opportunity for All
  

  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
  

  The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

  
  

  If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Caleb Baldwin or at 253-306-2999 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

  
  

  This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

  
  

  
  

  **This Organization Participates in E-Verify**

• About the company

  Washington State’s government web portal.

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