Washington State

Description

Expert Project Manager (EMS 2)

Join an exciting team!

Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) is a national leader in adopting new, innovative technologies that transform the way Washingtonians receive state services. WaTech sets the strategic technology direction of the state in multiple domains and programs and is responsible for the state’s core technology services.

About the position

This position is a part of WaTech’s Strategy & Management Division (SMD), which is responsible for the development and implementation of the state’s Information Technology (IT) strategic vision and planning.

As an Expert Project Manager, you will provide expert consultation on major projects under WaTech’s IT Project Oversight. You will offer analysis, oversight, guidance, and feedback to project managers throughout the entire project lifecycle—initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing—to help ensure projects are delivered successfully. The position also provides mentoring and counseling to key interested parties to ensure alignment and compliance with regulatory requirements, project management best practices and applicable WaTech policies and standards.

Duties

Some of what to expect with this role:

• Review and provide feedback on major IT project deliverables for projects under WaTech oversight, including project charters, implementation plans, and risk assessments to ensure compliance with WaTech project execution standards.
• Develop structured project execution frameworks aligned with WaTech oversight policies and state IT governance standards to enable agency project teams to follow best practices for IT project execution.
• Evaluate project execution plans, schedules, and financial models for major IT projects under WaTech oversight.
• Develop standardized execution roadmaps incorporating distinct and identifiable project phases, system demonstrations, and prototype testing as required by state policies, ensuring clear execution strategies.
• Provide expert guidance and independent reviews on incremental project funding strategies for major IT projects under WaTech oversight.
• Create and maintain execution templates, tools, and dashboards that support project teams in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), financial milestones, and compliance requirements.
• Ensure major IT projects under WaTech oversight incorporate structured organizational change management (OCM) strategies.
• Ensure major IT projects under WaTech oversight adhere to industry-standard risk management techniques.
• Ensure major projects under WaTech oversight incorporate security, data management, and interoperability considerations, ensuring compliance with statewide IT governance standards.
• Assess vendor performance against contractual obligations for major IT projects under WaTech oversight.

Qualifications

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• 10 years’ experience in IT project execution, project oversight, and risk management for complex, high-visibility technology initiatives. The total 10 years’ experience must include:
  1. Five years’ experience serving as a project management expert for large-scale IT projects, ensuring compliance with industry-standard planning, implementation, and evaluation standards.
  2. Five years’ experience evaluating IT project funding models and assessing fiscal sustainability.
  3. Five years’ experience in vendor contract management, including developing procurement strategies, evaluating vendor performance, and negotiating IT service agreements.
  4. Five years’ experience developing and implementing standardized project execution frameworks, ensuring alignment with statewide IT governance policies and best practices.
  5. Three years’ experience facilitating training sessions, workshops, or executive coaching on IT project execution, risk mitigation, and financial accountability.
  6. Three years’ experience developing structured risk management methodologies, including conducting risk assessments, implementing contingency strategies, and advising project teams on risk mitigation best practices.
  7. Three years’ experience developing and evaluating performance tracking frameworks for IT projects, ensuring projects demonstrate measurable business value and funding accountability.
  8. Two years’ experience reviewing and assessing Organizational Change Management (OCM) plans, including user adoption metrics, workforce readiness assessments, and communication strategies for large IT system implementations.
• A bachelor’s degree in information systems, business administration, public administration, or a related field can substitute for up to four years’ experience.
• Must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain one of the following professional certifications within the first six months of employment (verification required):
  1. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
  2. Equivalent industry-recognized project management certification (e.g., Agile, CompTia Project+, Prince2 or PRiSM).
• Experience developing or contributing to advisory memos, legislative reports, or executive-level briefings related to IT project execution, funding, or risk management.
• Experience assessing IT project compliance with statewide or enterprise IT governance policies and risk management frameworks.
• Experience facilitating cross-organization collaboration on IT project execution strategies, financial accountability, and modernization efforts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to develop advisory memos, risk assessments, and legislative briefings for diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with project execution tools and methodologies, including risk tracking, performance dashboards, and financial analytics tools.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Teams, and project tracking tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, JIRA, or similar platforms).

Preference may be granted to applicants with the following:

• Master’s degree in information systems, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Experience managing IT projects subject to state or federal oversight policies, including legislative budget approval processes.
• Experience supporting large-scale IT modernization efforts, including cloud transitions, legacy system replacements, and interoperability frameworks.
• Experience developing and implementing performance-based funding models for IT projects.
• Experience participating in statewide or enterprise IT governance committees, including providing strategic guidance on IT funding and execution policies.
• Experience advising on the integration of IT project execution frameworks with enterprise cybersecurity and data governance policies.
• Experience in performance measurement and financial analysis for IT project funding and budget sustainability.
• Experience leading or participating in industry-standard project management Communities of Practice (CoPs) or IT governance committees.

Supplemental Information

Telework: This position is approved for telework. However, this position requires the incumbent to be onsite in WaTech’s Olympia, WA office to attend bi-monthly trainings and/or meetings.

We value diversity and different perspectives:

WaTech is committed to providing equal access and opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees. We seek to attract and retain a diverse staff and welcome your experiences, perspectives and unique identity.

What WaTech offers:

As an employee of WaTech, you’ll have access to an outstanding employee benefits package that includes medical and dental plan options for you and your family, paid leave and holidays, retirement plan options and more.

While WaTech is headquartered in Olympia, Washington, which is near some of the country’s most scenic national parks, we are able to offer many of our positions telework and flexible schedule options to help support a healthy work-life balance.

To learn more about WaTech, and what our employees enjoy about working here, please visit our website.

How to apply:

Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large “apply” button at the top of this announcement. You may need to create a profile and account in Washington state's automated application system. We invite you to include your name and pronouns in your material to ensure we address you correctly throughout the application process.

To be considered for this position you will need to:

• Submit a complete Online Application.
• Answer all required Supplemental Questions.
• Attach a Letter of Interest that addresses how your experience qualifies you for this role.
• Attach a Resume that clearly documents the work history, training, and education that makes you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.
• Attach a separate document with at least Three Professional References. This should include: Reference name, nature of the relationship (i.e. company and supervisor, coworker, etc.), phone number, and email. References should be individuals you have worked with in the past five years, if possible, and include at least one current, or most recent supervisor. *We will not conduct reference checks without your signed release.

Note:Applications without the requested information identified above or containing supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may lead to your application being disqualified from consideration.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to their application. (Please redact any personally identifiable data such as social security number prior to submittal.)

Conditions of employment:

This position requires a background check. 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 and is a continued condition of employment.

Recruitment process:

First round of application assessments will be conducted seven days after the initial job posting date. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the initial seven-day job posting date during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions. There may be an assignment as a part of the interview/assessment process.

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Rebekah Wilkes at (360) 407-8646 or email to Rebekah.Wilkes@WaTech.wa.gov

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or for an alternative format may contact Human Resources at (360) 407-8242 or Human.Resources@watech.wa.gov.Persons of disability or those who are deaf or hard of hearing can call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. WaTech complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal Form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

Read Full Description