Legislative and Policy Manager; WMS

Overview

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:
Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity
.

Current Department of Licensing employees now have an opportunity to lead strategic legislative and policy operations within the Director’s Office.

• Lead strategic legislative and rule making operations to improve coordination, consistency, and policy implementation across the division and agency.
• Collaborate with the Rules and Policy Manager, Legislative and Special Projects Manager, agency leadership, legislators, the Governor’s Office, and external partners to advance policy priorities and support informed decision‑making.
• Evaluate operational performance and implement process improvements to increase team capacity, efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Support legislative engagement activities, including coordinating committee presentations and conducting discussions with legislators on policy issues.
• Direct and support Legislative and Policy Analysts in developing effective processes, training, and operational guidance that strengthen legislative analysis, rule making, fiscal review, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Identify new legislative and policy projects or proposals based on internal and external feedback.
• Consult with unit leadership on critical assignments such as legislative management, maintaining external partner relationships, and formalizing essential internal processes.
• Use sound judgment to respond to questions in high‑pressure situations with calm and tact.

• Ten (10) years of experience working within a state agency environment, including experience with the state legislature, legislative proposals, policy development, and rule making.
• Experience reading and writing legislation.
• Knowledge of the interplay between the various programs administered by the Department of Licensing, principles of sound program administration and policy, development of strategic operational policies and processes, the rule making process, the Administrative Procedures Act and Regulatory Fairness Act, agency priorities, policies and practices, and impacted party engagement strategies and best practices.
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing and orally with diverse groups, including executive leadership, the Governor’s Office, local government representatives, industry associations, and department staff.
• Ability to use sound judgment to respond to questions in high‑pressure situations with calm and tact.
• Ability to identify and implement sound processes to achieve effective program administration, establish and monitor time frames, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to build trusted relationships, mentor, coach, and train staff, manage teams, and facilitate discussions to arrive at agreed‑upon solutions.
• Analytical skills and ability to interpret rules, laws, and research material.
• Strong interpersonal, editorial, and organizational skills.
• Self‑motivation to produce excellent work and willingness to learn and grow.
• Commitment to the agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all behaviors and decisions and support of an inclusive workplace.

• Prior DOL experience demonstrating understanding of internal operations and structure.
• Prior experience communicating with legislators, the Governor’s Office, and external partners.
• A master’s degree in public administration or a closely allied field.
• Up to four (4) years of education in business, administration, public administration, or a closely related field may be used in lieu of experience.

• The ability to travel overnight and out of state.
• Pre‑employment screening, including a criminal record history check.

We offer some of the nation’s best benefits as part of a comprehensive compensation package.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or disability. Persons requiring accommodation in the application or recruitment process may contact the Human Resources Office at 360‑902‑4000 or email the Talent Acquisition Team.