STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SPECIALIST

Northwest Workforce Council
Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor,Friday Harbor
- www.nwboard.org -

STRATEGIC INITIATIVES SPECIALIST

The Strategic Initiatives Specialist is a full-time, grant-funded management position with the Northwest Workforce Council (NWC). Project duration is through December 2011. The NWC, a private, non-profit corporation, is the strategy setting and oversight body for the workforce development system in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties. See www.nwboard.org. This position works with the Council’s management team and is a direct report to the NWC Regional Manager.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As Strategic Initiatives Specialist for the NWC, the successful candidate is responsible for:

• Conducting the work associated with the implementation of numerous new statewide WorkSource System policies issued by the Employment Security Department (ESD), which can be found at www.wa.gov/esd/policies/systems.htm, which includes:
• Developing and managing to completion a comprehensive project management plan
• Assisting in the development of a local Knowledge Management System whose purpose is to provide staff throughout the workforce system with desktop resources to align operations
  
• Producing the work necessary, including policy writing and revising , to bring local policies, products and practices in alignment with ESD policy directives
  
• Managing project timelines, essential meetings, and deliverables
• In association with partners, developing guidelines, measurement methodologies, and a tracking system to achieve compliance with ESD policy measures
  
• Establish baseline satisfaction measure and conduct two external customer surveys to assess the impact of project work
  
• Conducting a pre and post electronic survey of internal customers to establish baseline and assess perceptions of improvement
  
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Complex project management in a high production environment
• Effective group facilitation and consensus architecture
• Written and oral communication and public presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Policy writing and analysis
• Gap analysis, simple survey methodology, and data analysis

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required with major course work in business, political science, or a closely related field preferred, and a
  
• Minimum of three years progressive experience required; minimum one year in workforce development, economic development, or higher education preferred
  
• Proven project management experience, to include organizational and time management skills
• Knowledge of quality and performance measurement
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office 2010 suite of software applications
• Knowledge Management Systems experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Valid Washington state driver license required

BENEFITS
Salary: $3800 to $4170/month DOQ. Excellent benefit package includes paid employee medical, vision, and family dental insurance coverage, employee assistance program, long term disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, and 401K retirement plan. Subsequent employment is dependent upon funding, experience, and merit.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Send a cover letter addressing the job qualifications, resume, and contact information for two professional references to kvonnegut@nwpic.bellingham.wa.us, or by mail to: Kit Vonnegut, Northwest Workforce Council, PO Box 2009, Bellingham, WA 98227.

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