RESEA Program Support Specialist

Full Job Description

Work is performed in a telework environment, but incumbent will be required to work in offices on occasion.

The ideal candidate for the Program Support Specialist (Management Analyst 4) is an experienced subject matter expert in RESEA, Unemployment Insurance, or related workforce programs.

They excel at shaping procedures, service models, and system practices that elevate service quality for UI claimants.

This individual reports to the RESEA Grant Manager/Program Operator in the Workforce Services Division and brings strong analytical, research, and process-improvement skills, enabling them to evaluate complex issues, translate policy into operational practice, and provide leadership with clear, strategic recommendations.

They are adept at leading cross-functional projects, refining processes across divisions, and guiding teams through organizational change.

With a keen eye for compliance and responsible grant stewardship, they ensure program integrity while supporting long-range planning aligned with agency goals.

Their communication is persuasive, their judgment is trusted, and their work strengthens both agency operations and statewide WorkSource performance.

Requirements

Provide senior-level consultation and analytical support to agency and WorkSource system leadership. This includes:

•Conduct advanced research, analysis, and evaluation of complex, multi-dimensional issues affecting RESEA operations to identify trends, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

•Prepare professional-level briefing documents, reports, and presentations in response to executive, legislative, and federal inquiries.

•Translate federal and state policy into operational guidance and provide analytical support for strategic initiatives that improve claimant outcomes.

Provide statewide program analysis, training, and technical consultation. This includes:

•Serve as a senior advisor to leadership and field operations on RESEA program requirements, performance expectations, and system alignment with agency priorities.

•Provide expert-level consultation to field teams, using analytical tools to diagnose root causes of operational issues and develop actionable solutions.

•Analyze office performance and ensure implementation of corrective action plans required by state or federal oversight.

Lead complex projects and process improvement initiatives. This includes:

•Coordinate medium-to-large service delivery redesign projects, applying analytical frameworks to evaluate impacts and guide implementation.

•Lead and participate in system-wide Lean and process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, consistency, and claimant outcomes.

•Conduct analysis of workflows, business processes, and operational systems to identify gaps and recommend improvements.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the qualification options listed below to be considered.

Option 1:
•Eight (8) years of equivalent education/experience.
•Experience includes conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules or regulations.

Option 2:
•Associate's degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field and
•Six (6) years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules or regulations.

Option 3:
•Bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field and
•Four (4) years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.

Option 4:
•Comparable combination of graduate education and experience.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.

• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working within the RESEA program.

• Experience with Unemployment Insurance programs.

• Experience with other US Department of Labor programs or grants.

The required experience includes:

•Analytical Skills: Ability to evaluate complex business or technology needs.

•Process Improvement Expertise: Proficiency in streamlining and enhancing business processes; Strategic.

•Problem-Solving Skills: Proficiency in diagnosing operational challenges.

•Research Expertise: Proficiency in conducting analysis and formulating strategic recommendations.

•Strategic Planning: Ability to recommend actionable responses to proposed changes.

•Communication Expertise: Ability to present research findings persuasively.

•Compliance Knowledge: Proficiency in ensuring adherence to business processes.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

•Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

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. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application 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.

Additional 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 Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing.

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 recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.