Description
Our ideal candidate is self-aware, empathetic and astute. You’ll be able to assess a change and discern between process and people challenges. You’ll be a skillful communicator, able to support people through the cycle of change. You’ll thrive in an ambiguous environment because of your ability to create structure and direction (with support from your coworkers). Most importantly, you’ll be committed to our agency’s core values and to your belief in our collective thriving.
The Leave & Care Division is hiring for two (2) project Organizational Change Consultant (MA4) positions that will support ESD’s vision and mission by providing people-centered change management strategies. The Leave & Care Division oversees the following two programs:
- Paid Leave provides paid time off when someone’s unable to work because of a serious health condition, when they’re caring for a family member or a new child, and for certain military-related events. It’s funded by premiums paid by both employers and workers in Washington.
- WA Cares Fund provides working Washingtonians a way to earn access to long-term care benefits that will be available when they need them. The program is managed by the Department of Social and Health Services in collaboration with the Health Care Authority and Employment Security Department.
The Organizational Change Consultant works on the Organizational Change Management (OCM) Team and reports to the Organizational Change Leader for the Leave & Care Division. In this role you will focus on the people side of change, including changes to business processes, systems and technology, job roles, culture and organizational structures. Your primary responsibility will be to create and implement change management strategies that maximize employee adoption and minimize resistance so projects and initiatives are successful. You will identify and address barriers to change adoption, including but not limited to desire, knowledge, ability, team culture and team dynamics.
- This is a project position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2026.
Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents.
Duties
In this role you will provide support for project teams integrating change management activities into their project plans. You will also support the growth of OCM capability and manage OCM activities for division-specific projects. Additionally, you will act as a coach and consultant for leaders and managers serving as change sponsors and advocates for their teams.
Example of duties:
- Collaborate and consult with key stakeholders to develop and execute both change management plans on prioritized initiatives.
- Create actionable deliverables to facilitate change, including communications plans, sponsor roadmaps, training plans, resistance management plans and sustainability plans.
- Measure, and monitor success metrics for change progress, outcomes and sustainability including adoption, utilization, proficiency, engagement and performance.
- Assess the impact of change on the organization, using assessment of project size and scope, organizational culture, performance and readiness for change.
- Facilitate small- and large-group meetings and focus groups to assess, analyze and diagnose cultural opportunities and challenges.
- Design and implement strategies to address challenges that impair staff ability to absorb and navigate change.
- Coach, train, and mentor staff in empathy-driven change management tools and activities.
- Maintain a working relationship with staff and support staff development within the division.
Qualifications
Required:
A combination of education and/or relevant experience equivalent to seven (7) years which includes a minimum of three (3) years of experience conducting research and analyzing polices, laws, rules, or regulations or comparable combination of education and experience.
AND:
- Demonstrated experience managing change in an organization.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated experience in training, coaching, facilitation and conflict management.
- Demonstrated ability to track progress and outcomes through the lifecycle of change up to 6 months after the completion of a project.
Preferred/Desired:
- Demonstrated experience working in a start-up or growth environment.
- Highly collaborative, respectful, and resourceful.
- Able to work effectively at all levels in an organization.
- Demonstrated experience with large-scale organizational change efforts.
- Change management practitioner certification (Prosci or equivalent).
- Familiarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating diverse work groups and teams involved in complex projects.
- Must be flexible and able to work independently and capable of absorbing and synthesizing large amounts of new information.
Additional Requirement of Employment:
- Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim & Benefit Information Review.
Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.
Supplemental Information
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
Opportunity for All
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Jeanette Nelson or 564-200-2475 the Talent Acquisition Team at hrrecruiting@esd.wa.gov or Washington Relay Service 711. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
**This organization participates in E-Verify**
