Assistant Director of Compliance and Administration

Description

Who We Are: 
Established in 1949 by the Washington State Legislature, the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) is a state agency responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination. Chapter 49.60 RCW is the WSHRC’s statutory authority. WSHRC enforces civil rights laws born from state and national civil rights movements.

Under the law, everyone has the right to be free from discrimination at work, in housing, in a public accommodation, or when seeking credit and insurance. Any individual who believes that he or she has been discriminated against based on protected class status may file a charge of discrimination with the WSHRC. We are a neutral fact-finding agency, and we are deemed "substantially equivalent" to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). WSHRC does not provide legal advice or advocacy services. Discrimination complaints must be filed within specific time limits, as established by law. Our legal authority comes from Chapter 49.60 RCW. Despite being a small agency (fewer than 50 employees), we serve all Washington residents.

Mission: 
The mission of the Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) is to prevent and eliminate discrimination through the fair application of the law, the efficient use of resources, and the establishment of productive partnerships in the community.

To learn more about WSHRC, we invite you to explore our website.

About the Opportunity:
The Assistant Director of Compliance and Administration reports directly to the agency’s Executive Director. The position is responsible for oversight and management of the day-to-day operations for two offices statewide: Olympia (the headquarters office), and a regional office in Spokane. The Assistant Director has direct supervision of the Administrative Service Manager, Administrative Services staff and the IT Systems Administrator Manager. The position in conjunction with the Executive Director is responsible for managing state budget allotments, approval of facility lease renewals and large equipment purchases. The position is responsible for the monitoring of annual federal funds for contracts (i.e. EEOC and HUD), interagency agreements, and memorandums of understanding.

The internal incumbent selected for this role will supervise eight (8) full-time direct reports.  
(1) IT System Admin Manager 
(1) Administrative Service Manager
(1) Data Consultant 2 
(1) Customer Service Specialist 3
(2) Customer Service Specialist 2 
(2) Office Assistant 1 

This Assistant Director position is designated as critical in support of WSHR’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for emergency or disaster recovery. In accordance with guidance from the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), this position supports agency continuity by overseeing essential administrative functions, maintaining IT infrastructure operations, and serving as the agency’s Human Resources liaison to ensure continuity of mission-essential services during emergencies or disasters.

Contact the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via email rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov and jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description.

Duties

Some of the responsibilities associated with this position include:

• Assures appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources and enhances the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities

• Maintains the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and supports the State’s interest in hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, consistent with the principles of equity

• Implements short- and long-term planning strategies that support the agency’s mission, goals and objectives in relation to the priorities of government

• Ensures compliance with state government and federal funding requirements and monitors ongoing operational effectiveness

• Supervises IT management and all agency staff interface regarding implementation of effective systems to process work activity, including performance tracking measures for the investigative staff

• Sets and implements priorities and accountability systems and methods

• Provides guidance and oversight on case tasks in investigations

• Engages with Investigations Enforcement Managers to update Complaint Questionnaires to provide the necessary information that the investigators need during the intake process

• Works with FEMA and other state agencies to create a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for agency

• Prepares the agency’s readiness for Office of Financial Management (OFM) Engagement Survey mandates and process requirements

• Serves as the primary point of contact for the agency regarding Your Washington, Executive Order compliance

• Coordinates the implementation of the Procurement Inclusion & Equity (Pie) Program for the agency by updating the website regarding contract opportunities and tracking outreach events and vendor data

Decision Making and Policy Impact:

• Provides policy and management direction for agency operations and administration
• Researches, updates and formalizes content of all policies for Executive Director review and Collective Bargaining Agreement compliance
• Plans, leads, organizes and controls work performed by the organization
• Develops the agency’s strategic plan and monitors for accomplishment of objectives
• Provides leadership and oversight to quality improvement efforts, including investigation case age reduction, customer service, and staff training and recognition
• Decisions that require determining and communicating the vision and direction of the agency
• Priorities, goals and objectives, impacting operational systems and procedures, and the allocation of resources
• Issues that involve Assistant Attorney General legal guidance and strategy to determine which cases move forward for prosecution
• Legislative activities and directives, the monitoring of legislation interests that may potentially impact the agency

Financial Dimensions:

• The position in conjunction with the Executive Director is responsible for managing state budget allotments, approval of facility lease renewals and large equipment purchases
• The position is responsible for the monitoring of annual federal funds for contracts (i.e. EEOC and HUD), interagency agreements, and memorandums of understanding

Qualifications

Required Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge
Ways of meeting the requirements for this position must total eight (8) years' of experience.

[OPTION 1]
Eight (8) years’ working in a legal setting, creating administrative processes, policy drafting, instituting recruitment and hiring criteria, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, maintaining confidentiality, and implementing performance management strategies.   A demonstrated track record in operational, financial, legal/compliance, risk management responsibilities

[OPTION 2]
Associate’s degree emphasis on business, human resources, social or organizational behavior sciences or related field
AND
Six (6) years’ working in a legal setting, creating administrative processes, recruitment and hiring criteria, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, implementing risk control measures in contracts and procurement, writing policies for data security, records management, and workplace safety

[OPTION 3]
Bachelor’s Degree with emphasis on business, human resources, social or organizational behavior sciences or related field
 AND
 Four (4) years’ working knowledge working in a legal setting, recruitment and hiring, maintaining personnel files, managing multiple deadlines, maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound judgment and grace under pressure

In addition to qualifying with one of the above options, internal applicants need to possess the following competencies:
Knowledge:

• Federal and state civil rights laws application
• Understanding of federal agencies and the contractual relationship with the WSHRC    
• An understanding of the principles of state government including rules, policies and practices  
• Experience with and understanding of labor relations, collective bargaining agreements and negations  
• Experience with internal control standards for desk auditing of cash receipts, accounts payable, and human resources management
• Understanding of oversight and responsibility for identifying risk according to State Administrative and Accounting Manual (SAAM) principles and reporting standards

Skills:

• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Effective team building skills, internally and with other state agencies, legislators and customers
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate staff
• Manage and prioritize agency operations in a timely, accurate and responsive manner
• Work and make decisions independently, but with judgment as to when to confer with higher authority
• Communicate complex issues and make recommendations to executive management
• Commitment to quality, diversity and public service values

Supplemental Information

How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

NOTE:  By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.  A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section or supplemental questions of the application.  Please do not “refer to resume” for detail, or your application may be disqualified. 

Opportunity for All: The Human Rights Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.  You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.  

Contact Information: For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan or email jobs@des.wa.gov.    

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.