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Posted: January 16, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Application & Issuance Unit Manager (LSM)

State of Washington

Dept. of Licensing

Fresh

Location

Washington, 98504

Salary

$5,137 - $6,735

per month

Closes

January 26, 2026More State jobs →

Job Description

Summary

This role involves leading a team that handles vehicle registrations, specialty license plates, disabled parking permits, and other driver-related services for Washington's Department of Licensing.

The manager oversees daily operations, analyzes data to improve processes, and ensures compliance with laws and policies to serve residents efficiently.

It's a great fit for someone with strong leadership skills, experience in government or licensing operations, and a passion for team development and public service.

Key Requirements

  • Eight years of management experience in a relevant field
  • Ability to lead and mentor a team, fostering accountability and professional growth
  • Skills in analyzing performance data and recommending process improvements
  • Knowledge of driver and vehicle licensing laws, policies, and procedures
  • Experience evaluating legislation and its impact on operations
  • Proficiency in conducting research and analysis for complex issues
  • Strong communication skills for interpreting and responding to stakeholder inquiries

Full Job Description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity


At the Department of Licensing (DOL),we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected.

Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.


Our Application & Issuance Unit within our Programs & Services Division is seeking to add a proactive and driven Unit Manager to lead the team!

As one of the most visible state agencies and the second-largest revenue generator in Washington State, we engage with over 6 million residents each year and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees.

The Application and Issuance Unit is responsible for the administration of specialty license plates, as well as the management of disabled parking placards and permits, driver license extensions, restricted driver licenses, ignition interlock device exemptions, and indigency determinations.

The unit also processes all vehicle title applications and registration renewals mailed to headquarters and administers the Abandoned RV Reimbursement Program.

This team handles many additional areas for DOL that ensure Washington Residents are being served accurately and efficiently.

We understand that our services are vital to the daily lives of our customers, enabling them to live, work, drive, and thrive.

We take this responsibility to heart and are dedicated to providing equitable and meaningful access to our services for every resident.

Requirements

As the Application & Issuance Unit Manager, you will lead and support unit performance by cultivating a culture of belonging, accountability, and professional growth through coaching and mentorship.

You will set clear, consistent expectations while ensuring staff have the tools and guidance needed to succeed.

By analyzing performance trends and operational data, you will identify opportunities for continuous improvement and recommend process enhancements.

Working closely with internal and external business partners, you will help coordinate and implement legislative and policy changes.

You will also manage complex and escalated issues, promoting consistency, data integrity, and public confidence in our records.

Some of what you will do:
  • Manage the activities of the Application and Issuance Unit to include the successful implementation of policies and procedures.
  • Evaluate and monitor proposed legislation for impact on the Unit.
  • Assist in the development of unit strategic plan, taking into consideration agency mission, vision, goals and directives.
  • Analyze complex reports for use by internal and external stakeholders.
  • Understand, interpret and respond to questions in regard to Driver and Vehicle Record (DVR) licensing laws, policies and procedures from internal and external stakeholders.
  • Conduct research and analysis making recommendations regarding complex issues that impact DOL, outside agencies, organizations and the public.

Qualifications

What you will bring:

Eight (8) years of management, administrative, or technical experience in licensing or regulatory program.

Up to four (4) years of relevant education may substitute year for year for experience.

Experience must include:
  • Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience providing or supervising customer service in a regulatory or service-oriented environment, including direct interaction with customers, resolving inquiries or complaints, interpreting and applying laws, rules, or policies, providing technical assistance to frontline staff, and supporting consistent, accurate, and professional service delivery.
  • Two (2) years of experience analyzing and making recommendations on policies, procedures, laws, rules or other written documentation related to business operations.
  • One (1) year of experience using standard office and data processing software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc. to support analysis, reporting, communications, and program operations.
  • The ability to:
    • Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors, and decisions.
    • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
    • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
    • Take action to learn and grow.
    • Take action to meet the needs of others.


What may help set you apart:
  • Experience managing and navigating work teams through organizational change.
  • A bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, or a closely allied field.
  • The ability to read an individual’s drive and/or vehicle record and take appropriate action based on licensing laws, rules, policies, procedures or applications while interpreting and explaining state and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Additional Conditions of Employment:
  • Prior to new hire, a pre-employment check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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.
DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For information about the position, available accommodations, or the interview process contact Nicole Walters.

For information about the position, available accommodations, or the interview process contact

Additional Information

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

How to Apply:
  • Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.

Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions and attachments, are completed in full.

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.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.
We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.
We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.
Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Recruitment Team. Please include the title of this position in the subject line.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visitwww.uscis.gov.

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Posted on NEOGOV: 1/16/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/17/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-washington-5195403