Rules and Policy Analyst

Full Job Description

Please note: The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the starting salary range of $79,320 - $101,004 annually. Please note that there is career salary growth beyond this starting range for the successful candidate.

Hybrid: Our physical office is in Olympia, WA. We offer flexible work schedules and locations. This is a hybrid position where most of the work allows for telework. However, you will need to travel to in-person activities, meetings, and events as needed for business purposes.

Why work for OFM
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) serves as the backbone of Washington state government. Our mission is to make our state a better place by connecting people, budgets, policies, data, and systems for state agencies and the Legislature. Our team includes budget advisors, researchers, and other experts, all dedicated public servants working towards an equitable future for every Washingtonian.

If you want to play a key role in enhancing how state government serves its citizens, you’ve found the right place. Join us in making a meaningful difference for every Washingtonian!

The job opportunity
As a Rules and Policy Analyst, you’ll build strong, trusted relationships with leaders across state agencies and higher education institutions and help them navigate complex civil service rules. You’ll work closely with executives and managers to understand their challenges, research issues that don’t always have clear answers, and recommend smart, practical solutions.

A significant part of the job involves analyzing enterprise-wide civil service rules (Title 357 Washington Administrative Code WAC), policies, and guidelines to determine when changes are necessary, and helping to shape thoughtful updates that impact employees statewide. You’ll often be asked to tackle unique or unprecedented situations, which means looking into statutes, policies, and historical background information and thinking creatively when precedent is limited or unclear. If you enjoy problem-solving, working at an enterprise systems level, and helping organizations move forward through careful analysis and collaboration, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful, statewide impact.

Requirements

What you’ll work on

• Developing and revising civil service rules (Title 357 WAC) for statewide implementation by identifying and analyzing business needs into rulemaking across agencies and institutions.
• Facilitating monthly rule meetings and presenting rule proposals; participating in rule review meetings and preparing rule items for publication.
• Providing expert analysis, interpretation, and policy guidance on Title 357 WAC in response to inquiries.
• Analyzing and providing complex comparative research of RCWs, WACs, past precedents, legal interpretations, Washington State Executive Orders, State HR Directives, and collective bargaining agreements that involve unique, complex/highly complex scenarios and conflicting perspectives to inform rulemaking and policy recommendations.
• Analyzing proposed legislation for impact that may affect programs, civil service systems, state employees, civil service rules, and other governmental procedures. Providing written bill analysis and recommendations on proposed legislation.
• Preparing issue briefing papers to inform executive decision-making by conducting comprehensive analysis, assessing enterprise-wide implications, and providing strategic analysis (risk-based) and policy recommendations.
• Conducting policy impact assessments and quality reviews of HR policies, procedures, processes, and training developed by other state employers to ensure alignment with legal standards and enterprise direction.
• Informing and advising stakeholders regarding rule development and workforce initiatives.
• Maintaining rulemaking files as required under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Qualifications

What you need to bring
Required Qualifications:

• Professional human resources experience that includes independently interpreting and providing consultation and guidance to managers, supervisors, and employees regarding applicable state and federal rules or laws, employer policies, collective bargaining agreements, and best human resources practices.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow: Curious about self and others, takes responsibility for knowing own strengths and weaknesses, and uses learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people we work with and serve.
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Six years of professional human resource experience.
• A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in business, human resources, social or organizational behavioral sciences, or related field.
• Knowledge and application of state agency or higher education human resource policy development; Washington Administrative Code, Revised Code of Washington, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and the state of Washington personnel systems.
• Experience analyzing the impacts of new legislation and knowledge of the legislative process.
• Knowledge and experience in labor and employee relations.
• Ability to provide advice and consultation based on knowledge and understanding of rules, policies, laws, and guidelines.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects and adjust to shifting priorities.

We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have transferable experience, please share it with us or contact us with questions about the required qualifications and how your experience aligns with them.

Additional Information

What we offer:

At OFM, we foster a culture of integrity, innovation, inclusion, and belonging. We value both learned and lived experiences, believing that diversity makes us stronger. To support your health and well-being, we offer a variety of benefit programs for our employees.

Please visit our Recruitment Page for a full list of benefits available to employees. Here’s a quick glance at some of the unique benefits that OFM offers:

• An environment of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• 12 paid holidays, 14 paid vacation days (minimum), and 12 days of sick leave per year
• State retirement programs

Application Process: Once you’ve decided to apply for a state government job, you’ll complete an online application to showcase your qualifications.

Keep in mind that once you submit the application, a real person will read it. We do not use AI or other technology that screens your application and rejects it.

Please ensure that you provide clear and detailed information about your work history, allowing your qualifications to be accurately assessed.

We will contact the top candidates directly to schedule interviews. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please call 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Your application will not be considered complete and sent to the hiring teams for review unless you attach all of the following:

• Cover letter: describing your qualifications for this specific position
• Resume: that details your applicable experience and education.
• References: at least three professional references and their current contact information.

Questions:
OFM's Staff ASL interpreter is available to all deaf and hard-of-hearing applicants. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or interview process, please email us at TalentAcquisition@ofm.wa.gov.

The Office of Financial Management is an equal opportunity employer.

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply.

This position is exempt from civil service rules.

For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195.