Deputy Director, Labor Standards

Job Summary

This position is located in the Office of the Deputy Director, Labor Standards, Office of the Director, Department of Employment Services (DOES). Labor Standards consists of the Office of Workers' Compensation, the Office of Wage-Hour, the Office of Occupational Safety and Health, the Office of Disability and Crime Victims Compensation, and the Hearings and Adjudication Staff. The mission of DOES is to foster economic development and growth in the District of Columbia by providing workforce training, linking job seekers with employers, compensating unemployed and injured workers, and promoting safe and healthy workplaces.

In the absence of the Director, DOES may be designated to act as Departmental Director, receiving instructions and guidance from the Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, the Mayor, and/or the City Administrator. The Deputy Director designs and monitors program activities to assure accomplishment of the mission of the office, well‑designed, coordinated, and effective service delivery. They provide continued monitoring and evaluation of total program operations, interpret policies, standards and program guidelines relative to established goals and objectives, and assure representation on the Wage‑Hour and Occupational Safety and Health Boards.

The Deputy Director represents the Director, DOES, in contact with the media, business and public interest groups, speaks for the Director on all matters involving Labor Standards program responsibilities, advises on controversial issues and/or matters having policy and major programmatic impact, and serves as a member of the Department's Executive Staff and the Director's immediate staff. They provide problem identification, solution, advice and assistance to the Director, formulate comprehensive approaches, alternatives and new thrusts for the operation of the Wage‑Hour, Workers' Compensation and Occupational Safety and Health program operations throughout the community, and ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations and policies.

Responsibilities include providing planning and management direction to four (4) Associate Directors at the DS‑15 level and one (1) Chief of Hearings and Adjudication, recommending and participating in management policy decision‑making on all labor‑related issues, developing and maintaining linkages with federal, regional and district government officials, organized labor, business and other constituent groups, initiating and overseeing special studies, preparing, evaluating and submitting required federal and district reports, making decisions on substantive staff personnel management issues, evaluating and resolving employee performance and grievances, developing and recommending budgetary considerations for assigned program areas, and directing the preparation of annual grant applications.

Individual must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the MS‑15 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience could include but is not limited to the preparation and management of budgets and grants, providing authoritative advice and interpretation of relevant budget, policy, and procedural issues, and application of management principles and practices to provide sound recommendations regarding personnel management and evaluation processes.

A degree from an accredited four‑year college or university is preferred. Working knowledge of the Workers' Compensation Act and amendments, the District of Columbia Wage‑Hour Law, the District of Columbia Wage Payment and Wage Collection Law, the District of Columbia Minimum Wage Act of 1918 (as amended), Title XXIII of the D.C. Law 2‑100, regulatory and procedural guides including D.C. codes and regulations relative to Occupational Safety and Health, district and federal standards, specifications and regulations, and recommendations of the National Safety Council is highly desirable.