Reentry Systems Policy & Legislative Strategist (MA 4)

About the Department

Reentry Systems Policy & Legislative Strategist (MA 4)
The Department of Commerce is the one agency in state government that touches every aspect of community and economic development: planning, infrastructure, energy, public facilities, housing, public safety and crime victims, international trade, business services and more. We work with local governments, tribes, businesses and civic leaders throughout the state to strengthen communities so all residents may thrive and prosper.

The Community Services Division (CSD) partners with local governments, tribes, community based organizations, and nonprofits to provide community assistance, promote individual and family self-sufficiency, address the causes and effects of crime and violence, and reduce poverty, and increase equity and belonging so that all people in Washington can thrive.

This position supports the Statewide Reentry Council (SRC) to fulfill its legislative mandate of developing collaborative and cooperative relationships among the criminal justice system, victims and their families, impacted individuals and their families, and service providers, with the purpose of improving public safety and outcomes for people reentering the community from incarceration. It supports the Washington Statewide Reentry Council’s mission by providing coordination and management of the Council’s legislative affairs (including monitoring and tracking bills and hearings), systems of accountability (tracking data and program outcomes), and communications and reporting to stakeholders, partners, and the Reentry Council.

This position embeds equity and trauma-informed principles into the provision of proactive solutions to complex issues, including process improvement and policy development on reentry related issues and programs that are broad in scope and that have significant impact to those leaving incarceration.

Our Mission, The Washington Statewide Reentry Council advocates for Washington laws, investments, and attitudes that improve reentry outcomes and increase public safety by supporting equitable reentry systems that are more humane and restorative.

Our Vision, We disrupt the cycle of mass incarceration by transforming systems so that each individual is treated equitably and with dignity.

Some travel to the Olympia office will be required during legislative sessions.

Position Duties

Coordinate Reentry Legislative Affairs
Tasks include:
• Legislative session tracking and coordination for reentry related bills and outcomes.
• Responsible for using legislative tracking system, including creation and daily updates of the legislative dashboard.
• Track Reentry bills, including bill introductions, hearings and passage.
• Ensure new bills are reviewed, analyzed, and that Reentry Council’s Legislative Subcommittee responds timely and appropriately.
• Responsible for writing the SRC’s legislative and Reentry 2030 Reports, and work closely with the Executive Director to produce the Biennial repots to the Governor Office. 
• Responsible for monitoring and reporting back on committee hearings.
• Coordinate legislative and budget proposals for new programs, funding, or changes to existing law.
• Interact with other agencies or stakeholders to coordinate reentry legislative affairs.
• Manage hearing testimony and provide the Reentry Council with analysis and recommendations related to legislation.
• Draft, review, and write respond to bill analysis and fiscal note assignments from CSD and the agency.
• Prepare oral and written testimony for legislative hearings, communicate Reentry council plans for testimony to division policy team, and complete hearing registration processes.
• Present research findings and recommendations to Reentry Council.
• Responsible for analyzing, reviewing, editing, and approving reports and other policy documents.
• Coordinate with budget and policy staff to ensure that timelines and other requirements are met.
• Attend Advisory Groups for reentry legislative matters.
• Attend CSD legislative and policy meetings.
• Work closely with the CSD’s Policy and Communications team, ensuring alignment and coordination with division and agency policy and legislative processes.

Lead Reentry research and performance reporting
Tasks include:
• Serve as an expert consultant who leads special projects relevant to Reentry. Special projects could include program implementation, research related to legislative directives, strategic planning, coordination of external stakeholder meetings, or focus groups.
• Present research findings and recommendations to Reentry Council elected officials and outside organizations.
• Develop methods and timelines for project completion. Present written reports on legislative outcomes, decisions made, and recommendations that advances the progress of the Councils Mission and Reentry 2030.

Re-entry communications coordination
Tasks include:
• Ensure close alignment, coordination, and partnership with division Policy and Communications team for all Reentry communications priorities, efforts, and needs.
• Provide maintenance and updates of division web pages.
• Draft social media content, GovDelivery emails, and news releases to highlight key efforts, events, upcoming meetings, and legislative/policy updates.
• Write and edit and approve documents for audiences including the public, agency management, and elected officials or their staff.
• Develop presentations for a variety of audiences and settings.
• Ensure all public meetings and communications meet Open Public Meetings Act, language access, and accessibility requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:
• A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field.

AND

Four years of experience in two or more of the following areas:
• Conducting research; analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations conducting business analysis and developing requirements; leading business projects; managing business operations; or business policy development. or eight years of experience conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations, or comparable combination.
• Leadership experience (may be through professional, volunteer, or other relevant community involvement).
• Expertise writing and editing technical documents.
• Experience using computer applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, and HTML.
• Experience with statistical analysis, performance assessment, and outcome measurement.

• Lived experience with incarceration, criminal justice systems, including navigating reentry, or related public systems may substitute for one (1) year of education beyond high school equivalency and/or professional-level experience.
o What is lived experience? Lived experience is relevant expertise derived from the accumulated personal life with incarceration, criminal justice systems, including navigating reentry, or related public systems and professional experiences of an individual. Experience can be gained through life events, volunteer role/capacity, any experience gained outside of professional paid and unpaid experience or a combination of experiences.

AND

Demonstrated competency in diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism work, including: create space that is inclusive and respectful for everyone who interacts with and within our agency; recognize that oppression and inequities such as racism, sexism, classism, etc., are real, exist and need to be addressed; implement practices and working conditions that achieve inclusion in the workforce and in the way we serve the public; identify where barriers and inequities exist in your area of expertise or responsibility and lead the removal, change or culture adjustment; co-create and support policies, programs, practices and procedures that increase the power, voice and influence of the most impacted and marginalized people; and use DEI data to inform and influence inclusive programs and services.

OR

Examples of how to qualify:
o 8 years of experience
o 7 years of experience and one year of education
o 6 years of experience and two years of education
o 5 years of experience and three years of education
o 4 years of experience and four years of education
o 3 years of experience and five years of education
o 2 years of experience and six years of education
o 1 year of experience and seven years of education

AND

Demonstrated commitment to growth Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism competencies, including: able to learn and understand the language and concepts of DEI; commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness related to DEI; demonstrated the understanding that all people are valued by contributing to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the team, agency, and community; and commitment to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity, belonging, and antiracism in our organization.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Expertise analyzing legislative activities in government or nonprofit agencies.
• Ability to independently determine and prioritize workload, meet reporting deadlines with high degree of accuracy.
• Experience analyzing, reporting, and sharing information in online applications or software data system.
• Experience using computer applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Smartsheet, and website development software.
• Demonstrated knowledge of or lived experience with public systems that serve vulnerable populations and other issues relevant to the Community Services Division.
• Committed to excellence, looking for improvements continuously, monitoring quality levels, finding root causes of issues, owning/acting on issues, and turning mistakes into learning opportunities.
• Experience briefing and engaging legislators and senior level government officials.

Required Position Competencies:
Service focus: Treat fellow employees, clients, and the public as partners and collaborators who are equally committed to a healthy, prosperous Washington. Build and maintain internal and external satisfaction with the services offered by the agency. Consistently strive to exceed expectations.
• Consistently help customers, residents, and coworkers achieve desired outcomes, gaining their trust and respect.
• Actively seek feedback on the quality of services provided.
• Consistently demonstrates an interest in solving problems.
• Anticipates, assesses and responds to changing needs.
• Seek out ways to enhance the satisfaction of residents and coworkers by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
• Gain the confidence of residents and coworkers by making sure that long-term needs are met.
• Respond to customer reactions by considering alternatives.
• Share service lessons with others within the organization.
• Emphasize team approach to providing excellent service.

Adaptability and flexibility: Solve problems, consider different perspectives, and find new and creative ways to accomplish your work. Adapt quickly to changing needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Adapt approaches, goals, and methods to achieve successful solutions and outcomes.
• Anticipates and communicates possible changes.
• Sees and considers different alternatives to reach a given end.
• Adjust strategies or tactics if the current ones are not working.
• Demonstrates creativity and innovation in developing alternatives or new approaches.
• Overcomes obstacles, inertia, and/or resistance to change.
• Manages and implements change to increase acceptance and reduce anxiety.
• Clarifies priorities when leading change.
• Embrace change as a way to accomplish goals more effectively.
• Works comfortably with people of differing styles, temperaments, and preferences.
• Deal maturely with anger, frustration, and disappointment.
• Bounce back quickly from problems and frustrations.

Communication: Communicate clearly, accurately, and in a timely manner. Actively listen and engage in open, respectful, professional dialogue. Perform work in a helpful, friendly, and positive manner.
• Participate in meetings in an active, cooperative, and courteous manner.
• Write appropriately for the audience and situation.
• Write clearly and succinctly; communicate intentions and rationale.
• Avoids “bureaucratese” whenever possible in written and oral communications.
• Demonstrates understanding and empathy with the listener or reader.
• Is responsive and timely in responding to e-mails, phone messages, and mail.
• Makes others feel comfortable and willing to engage in conversation.
• Is willing to connect residents and business clients with other agency representatives, as necessary.
• Ensures that appropriate coworkers are involved in conversations if they need to be.
• Listen well to others and accurately convey their ideas.

Accountability: Accept personal responsibility and accountability for the quality and timeliness of your work and for meeting workplace expectations. Achieve excellent results with minimal oversight. Link agency mission/vision/values to everyday work.
• Recognize that the records produced through agency work are valuable agency assets and takes steps to organize and protect these assets using established tools, policies, and procedures.
• Acknowledge and corrects mistakes; doesn’t make excuses for errors or problems.
• Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Understand, communicates, and measures goals accurately.
• Stay focused on tasks despite distractions and interruptions.
• Make the best use of available time and resources.
• Appropriately balances quality of work with ability to meet deadlines.
• Faces up to problems with people quickly and directly.
• Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them.
• Set high goals and achieve them.
• Pay attention to their own performance and work to improve.
• Asks for feedback on performance and makes efforts to improve.

Trust and integrity: Remain objective at all times and ensure that professional judgment, rather than personal opinion, influences our work. Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Keeps promises and commitments made to others.
• Avoids inappropriate situations and associations.
• Doesn’t misrepresent themself for personal gain; uses the public’s funds and resources appropriately.
• Avoids rumor, gossip, and subjective opinions in decision-making.
• Admits mistakes despite the potential for negative consequences.
• Presents unpleasant or disagreeable facts in an appropriate manner.

Relationships: Build and maintain cooperative relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance and cooperation.
• Gains the support of others.
• Builds voluntary cooperation through credibility, expertise, influence, and persuasion.
• Anticipates and recognizes the concerns of others.
• Patiently solicits and considers ideas from those who are reluctant to express their points of view.
• Anticipates and seeks to resolve confrontations and disagreements constructively.
• Respect the opinions or work of other people, regardless of their status or position; treat all with dignity and respect.
• Recognizes and celebrates success and achievement.
• Promotes the contributions and accomplishments of customers or clients to others; actively supports the good ideas of others.
• Acts as a positive influence on others.
 
To be considered for this position, the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online).
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: [email protected] - please reference the job number in your message.

Other Qualifications

Work from Anywhere in Washington State 
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.  Some travel to the Olympia office will be required during legislative sessions.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement 

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at [email protected].
 
Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity 
The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at [email protected].  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.
               
Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.

Benefits

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, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) 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 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov