Business Engagement and Workforce Program Manager WMS1



Business Engagement and Workforce Program Manager WMS1

Salary

$47,220.00 - $96,324.00 Annually

Location

King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2021-DSB-008

Department

Dept. of Services for the Blind

Opening Date

08/06/2021

Closing Date

8/29/2021 11:59 PM Pacific

Description


Who we are:
The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision participants, many of whom have other disabilities in addition to visual impairment. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living.

The goal of DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program is to assist individuals with visual disabilities and business in developing skills and workforce initiatives that lead to the employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals.  
 
What you will be doing:
You will lead business engagement activities, both internally with DSB staff and externally with business, to develop and maintain competitive, integrated employment opportunities for DSB participants.  In addition, you will lead DSB VR teams across the agency, with training, resource development, and strategic engagement with business.  You'll develop partnerships with the Workforce System, as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with the goal of preparing individuals with visual disabilities successful entry into the competitive workforce and towards greater independence by meeting business needs.

Duties

Some of what you will enjoy includes:

  • Lead business engagement training, resource development, coordination of strategic accessibility initiatives, and business engagement involvement with DSB staff
  • Set agency business engagement goals, directives, and training for agency staff on how to implement and proceed within business engagement activities
  • Leads DSB business engagement activities to include employer accessibility testing, employer recruitment efforts, work-based learning opportunities (apprenticeships, etc.), training, and accommodation assistance
  • Leads the development of DSB business engagement efforts with the public workforce system and facilitates implementation of WIOA and the Workforce delivery system partnership opportunities
  • Identify sector strategy and industry-driven trainings and apprenticeship opportunities available to DSB participants
  • Manages service delivery training on business engagement to Community Rehabilitation Providers contracted with DSB
  • Evaluates DSB business engagement performance data and leads the development of strategies for increasing productivity and employment outcomes
  • Works with DSB System Administration team to build business engagement reports to communicate with Workforce partners, build agency business engagement initiatives, and engage DSB staff on business engagement strategies
  • Serve as agency representative with local, state and national partners on disability hiring implementation strategies
  • Develop and individualize strategies for business engagement with Washington State government agencies and federal contractors
  • Develop, consult, refine, and/or implement job readiness programs for DSB participants statewide
  • Track and analyze data of participant attendance and impact on their employment goals and job search activities
  • Develop and coordinate the utilization of tools for business relations interface
  • Attend national and regional meetings for business engagement networking and Community of Practice
  • Work with DSB Communications Manager for marketing of DSB VR services to business
  • Develop expertise on current disability employment/hiring regulations, strategies, and national models
  • Lead self-employment committee, facilitating resources, training, and communications with DSB staff, DSB participants, and committee members
  • Lead consultation with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and DSB participants on self-employment policy, procedure and feasibility of business
  • Establish agency self-employment initiatives and develop resources 
  • Create agency strategy, utilizing small business resources and expertise along with agency data, for increased self-employment participant effectiveness and employment success
  • Lead agency activities for developing knowledge and skills for self-employment with DSB staff and participants

Qualifications


REQUIRED:
Bachelor's degree
AND
Four years of experience in:

  • Public Administration
  • Organizational Development
  • Vocational Rehabilitation 
  • Communications 
  • Public Relations 
  • Or allied field
OR 

Master’s degree
AND
Two years of experience in:
  • Public Administration
  • Organizational Development
  • Vocational Rehabilitation 
  • Communications 
  • Public Relations 
  • Or allied field
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel is expected to meet the demands of this positions extensive field work. Travel may be required for training.
Tools and Equipment: State vehicle and reader/driver is available for travel usage.

PREFERRED:
  • Work experience with a range of people with disabilities.  
  • Experience in Employment Readiness needs of individuals who are Blind, Low Vision or Deaf Blind

Supplemental Information


Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
 

  • A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; 
  • A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and 
  • A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

COVID Vaccination Requirement: Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), state employees must be fully vaccinated no later than October 18, 2021, as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are a selected candidate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet the requirement due to a medical or religious necessity. 

Opportunity for All: 
The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
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 organization.
 
Contact Information:
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
 
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email jobs@des.wa.gov

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

01
What is your level of education?
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • I don't have a degree
02
How many months experience do you have in the following? (Check ALL that apply to you)
  • Public Administration
  • Organizational Development
  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Communications
  • Public Relations
  • Allied Field
  • None of these apply
03
From the question above, if you selected ALLIED FIELD, please state the field in this space. If you made a specific selection, indicate "n/a" in this space.
04
From the question above, how many total months experience do you have? (experience may run concurrently)
  • 0-11 months
  • 12-23 months
  • 24-35 months
  • 36-47 months
  • 48 months or more
05
Describe your work experience with a range of people with disabilities. If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.
06
Describe your experience in Employment Readiness needs of individuals who are Blind, Low Vision or Deaf Blind and include how many months performed and what job(s) on your application this will be found. If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.
07
How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Careers.wa.gov
  • College Job Board
  • Friend
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • Job Board
  • Linkedin
  • Monster
  • Other
08
We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact