Rules and Policy Analyst

Please note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $79,320 - $101,004 annually. Please note that there is career salary growth beyond this starting range for the successful candidate.

Hybrid:
Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, you will need to travel to in‑person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

As a Rules and Policy Analyst, you’ll build strong, trusted relationships with leaders across state agencies and higher education institutions and help them navigate complex civil service rules. You’ll work closely with executives and managers to understand their challenges, research issues that don’t always have clear answers, and recommend smart, practical solutions.

A significant part of the job involves analyzing enterprise‑wide civil service rules (Title 357 Washington Administrative Code WAC), policies, and guidelines to determine when changes are necessary, and helping to shape thoughtful updates that impact employees statewide. You’ll often be asked to tackle unique or unprecedented situations, which means looking into statutes, policies, and historical background information and thinking creatively when precedent is limited or unclear.

If you enjoy problem‑solving, working at an enterprise systems level, and helping organizations move forward through careful analysis and collaboration, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful, statewide impact.

• Developing and revising civil service rules (Title 357 WAC) for statewide implementation by identifying and analyzing business needs into rule making across agencies and institutions.
• Facilitating monthly rule meetings and presenting rule proposals; participating in rule review meetings and preparing rule items for publication.
• Providing expert analysis, interpretation, and policy guidance on Title 357 WAC in response to inquiries.
• Analyzing and providing complex comparative research of RCWs, WACs, past precedents, legal interpretations, Washington State Executive Orders, State HR Directives, and collective bargaining agreements that involve unique, complex/highly complex scenarios and conflicting perspectives to inform rule making and policy recommendations.
• Analyzing proposed legislation for impact that may affect programs, civil service systems, state employees, civil service rules, and other governmental procedures. Providing written bill analysis and recommendations on proposed legislation.
• Preparing issue briefing papers to inform executive decision-making by conducting comprehensive analysis, assessing enterprise‑wide implications, and providing strategic analysis (risk‑based) and policy recommendations.
• Conducting policy impact assessments and quality reviews of HR policies, procedures, processes, and training developed by other state employers to ensure alignment with legal standards and enterprise direction.
• Informing and advising stakeholders regarding rule development and workforce initiatives.
• Maintaining rule making files as required under the Administrative Procedure Act.

• Professional human resources experience that includes independently interpreting and providing consultation and guidance to managers, supervisors, and employees regarding applicable state and federal rules or laws, employer policies, collective…