Public Disclosure Specialist (PS5

Position: Public Disclosure Specialist (PS5)
* INTERNAL ONLY
* Public Disclosure Specialist (PS5)

At the Department of Commerce, we're reimagining what's possible in government. We're builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we're turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.

Our agency's strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you're ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let's build what's next, together.

This position serves as the Department of Commerce's senior specialist and lead authority for all public disclosure responsibilities under RCW 42.56. This position independently administers the agency's public records program, ensuring consistent, timely, and legally compliant public disclosure of records across all Commerce divisions.

The position provides expert-level consultation to agency leadership, program managers, and staff on statutory requirements, agency policy, and disclosure procedures. It develops and delivers agency-wide guidance and training to ensure staff understand their responsibilities in identifying, compiling, and transmitting records for disclosure within required timelines.

This position exercises delegated decision making authority to evaluate public records requests, determine applicable exemptions, apply required red actions, and ensure protected information is managed in accordance with state and federal law. The role coordinates complex public disclosure activities, oversees legal documentation such as affidavits and sworn statements, and ensures defensible compliance with the Public Records Act. It serves as the primary point of contact for the public and external partners, including the Attorney General's Office, regarding all Commerce public disclosure records inquiries.

This position directs daily operational activities of the public disclosure program, supervises professional staff, and ensures consistency, accuracy, and compliance across all phases of the disclosure process. This position is critical to maintaining transparency, public trust, and operational integrity within the Department of Commerce.

This position is duty stationed at the Olympia office and will be required to be in-office 2 days per week. Public Disclosure Program Management:

* Provide administrative direction and oversite of the agency's public disclosure management system which ensures accurate and effective processing of all public records requests.

* Maintain authoritative and up to date knowledge of PRA case law and legislative changes to the PRA.

* Complete an expert level review of all requests to determine the scope of the requests and seek clarification, determine which division or divisions have responsive records.

* Demonstrate expert level of proficiency with advanced technologies used for public records searches (E-discovery e-mail searches, SMARSH text message searches, Everlaw production of e-mail from E-discovery into pdf format for redacting).

* Oversee the review and redaction of sensitive, exempt and privileged information to ensure full legal requirements under the PRA RCW 42.56.

* Provide authoritative interpretation from reviewing requests of the PRA requirements and communicating those as needed with requestors and agency Stakeholders.

* Identify requests of a complex and sensitive nature and escalate appropriately for legal consultation with the AG.

* Ensure that statutory timelines are met, such as the five-day letter, and directs workload assignments across the public disclosure unit.

* Directs public disclosure requests to division records coordinators to oversee timely…