WDVA Continuous Improvement Manager (WMS Band 1), Full-Time – Permanent, Olympia Central Office

Description

Are you a continuous improvement professional dedicated to making a difference through process improvement structures and approaches, supporting organization development and learning, and have experience in successful Lean Six Sigma program development and training? Join the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) as a Continuous Improvement Manager (WMS Band 1) at our Central Office in Olympia and help lead agency-wide strategic initiatives that improve services for WDVA’s customers. Working for the Office of Strategy and Performance, you’ll partner with leadership and our Organization Change Manager to drive organization improvements. Through management of the WDVA Continuous Improvement Program you'll facilitate problem- solving, lead and implement Lean Six Sigma practices, and deliver high-impact projects that advance WDVA’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.

Please note: Standard business hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position requires regular local travel for meetings and to WDVA locations throughout the state. This position may be eligible for hybrid telework based on business needs, as approved by the appointing authority. The position will still require in-person presence.

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness. In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star Families.

 The Office of Strategy and Performance (OSP) provides enterprise-wide services including strategic planning, performance management, program development, performance standard development, organizational change management, continuous improvement and problem-solving facilitation, leadership governance, and conducts multiple high-profile, high-risk projects annually. This position reports to the Director of Strategy and Performance for your Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). The Continuous Improvement Manager supports the agency’s leadership, operations, and cross-functional leadership teams, as well as the Office of Strategy and Performance, in delivering initiatives aligned with the WDVA strategic plan and project portfolio. These initiatives are critical to the successful delivery of services to our customers and the achievement of organizational goals.

Duties

Some of what you'll do:

• Collaborate with the Director of Strategy and Performance, agency leaders and their staff to ensure improvement work is aligned with the agency strategic goals, objectives and strategies and that leaders and staff are developing innovative solutions to the challenges of achieving results. 
• Manage and administer the agency Continuous Improvement Program
• Provide expert process improvement facilitation consultation and services. 
• Lead, facilitate, manage, report and track all aspects of workshops, training, meetings and workgroups. 
• Consult with agency leadership to build agency ability for integration of Lean Six Sigma improvement pillars, methodology, and approaches into daily operations. 
• Coach and mentor leaders, supervisors and staff across the agency in Lean Six Sigma management and assist teams in developing core process goals and measures, huddles and effective visual management tools. 
• Design, lead and manage agency level problem solving and improvement projects. 
• Consult in the development and implementation of action plans that track progress on planned objectives and performance measures to ensure the WDVA achieves desired outcomes. 

• And more!

*Complete Position Description available upon request*

Qualifications

Required:

• Advanced Lean Practitioner or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification (preferred Master Black Belt). 
• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, organization development, psychology, human resources, or closely allied field.

AND

• Three (3) years of practical experience in the following areas:
  • Program management
  • Leading continuous process improvement activities including demonstrated success developing, implementing, and coordinating continuous quality improvement processes and programs.
  • Advising executive managers, supervisors, quality improvement/Lean Six Sigma practitioners, on quality improvement practices and culture change.
  • Managing projects, including large-scale projects involving multiple teams, significant risk, and system-wide changes.
  • Developing data collection plans, data analysis and transferring raw data into simple, easy to reach charts and or graphs to help sponsors make impactful decisions
  • Working cooperatively and effectively with diverse stakeholders and partners (local, state, and federal government, business, customers, and the public).
  • Assessing, analyzing, planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining effective organizational change management strategies; action-oriented and confident practitioner.

OR
Seven (7) years of combined education and practical experience.

Additional Required Competencies: 

• Demonstrated leadership, including the ability to be flexible and solve problems creatively with executives, staff and co-workers as well as managing, leading, coaching, mentoring, and training senior management, managerial and operational staff, ability to promote organization and employee process improvement through leadership, team-building, and personal example.
• Professional knowledge and work experience encompassing most of the knowledge, skills, and experience described below:
  • Achievement Orientation: Makes efficient use of available time and resources.
  • Process Improvement Leadership Skills: A demonstrated passion for, and a hands-on, in-depth knowledge of, Lean Six Sigma and continuous process improvement methodologies.
  • Change Management Practitioner: Three (3) years of experience applying ADKAR or equivalent change management methodologies and tools and demonstrated proficiency in performing change management assessments, analyzing results, developing strategies, and implementing tools.
  • Organization Relationships and Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to effectively guide and influence people without line authority.
  • Analytical Skills: Understands the big picture, the issues, and stakeholders.
  • Results Orientation: Strategy development and implementation - makes things happen.
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent skills in communication, persuasion, interpersonal relations, coaching, and counseling.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to facilitate effective performance of job duties.  This includes sufficient written and verbal communication in English, to facilitate effective performance of essential functions.
• Agency Required Competencies for all positions:
  • The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  • The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

*Complete description of required competencies available upon request*

Preferred/Desired:

• Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification.
• Master’s degree in organization development, applied behavior sciences, human resources management, business administration or related field.
• Project management certification.
• Experience identifying and implementing information technology solutions.
• Demonstrated capabilities in leading and successfully implementing the practical application of a full range of Lean Six Sigma methods and all phases of process redesign. Ideally will have implemented Lean Six Sigma practices in several different organizations or operating environments, including service or administrative environments.
• Three (3) years of experience working as an OCM Practitioner within a non-IT business program.
• Technical competency/skills (MS Project, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, SharePoint)

Special Requirements: 

• Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must be able to lift up to 60 lbs. and be capable of reaching a minimum of 36" using proper technique to stock shelves and access supplies. Employee must also be able to push or pull with sufficient strength and walk, sit, and bend in an unrestricted manner during the entire workday.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and be willing to work as needed.
• Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory annual, in-service, and other required training.
• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Supplemental Information

Application Process:   

Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.

2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• This position is non-represented.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.  

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 award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.