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

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 WDVAs customers. Working for the Office of Strategy and Performance youll partner with leadership and our Organization Change Manager to drive organization improvements. Through management of the WDVA Continuous Improvement Program youll facilitate problem- solving lead and implement Lean Six Sigma practices and deliver high-impact projects that advance WDVAs 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 500000 Veterans and their family members we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and 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 agencys 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.

Some of what youll 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*

Required:

• Advanced Lean Practitioner or Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification (preferred Master Black Belt).
• Bachelors 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.
• Masters 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 applicants 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 drivers 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.

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 agencys 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 . 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.