Project Manager

Title: Project Manager | Reentry

Salary $107,397.00 - $118,026.00 Annually

Location Thurston County – Tumwater, WA

Job Type Full Time - Permanent

Job Number 2025-04731

Department Dept. of Corrections

Division Reentry

Job Description:

This position is represented by the Teamsters 117 bargaining unit.

The Washington State Department of Corrections Reentry Division is responsible for the implementation of evidence-based practices, and the operational support to facilitate incarcerated individual participation in evidence-based and research-based interventions and promising programs. These programs are aided by the critical role of the Project Manager! The goal of this role is to lead a project team and identify, implement, and sustain the best industry practices, while managing portfolios of projects with long-term impact on policy, budget, and resource allocation.

As a Project Manager, you will be accountable for providing reliable and professionally sound guidance, consultation, and advice at an advanced level of expertise. Through the implementation and sustainment of integrated outcome-based management, you will contribute to strengthening agency capability for achieving results by connecting staff work at all levels and across unit, department, and division lines to further DOC strategic goals and objectives.

Excellent communication skills are a must as you will need to explain to employees the linkage and reason for the DOC Strategic Plan, Results DOC, and Project Management by using Organizational Change Management tools. 

The Project Manager will manage all aspects of assigned projects through leading the planning and implementation of a project, facilitating the definition of project scope, goals, and deliverables, and determining the type, quantity, and quality of resources required to complete a project. You will coordinate with staff to ensure successful completion of the project directing, supporting, and coordinating the project team members/staff and key stakeholders, track project deliverables using project management tools and manage the project documents to monitor project performance and data stored.

We are searching for an experienced project manager who is excited about the opportunity to lead, shape and grow the opportunities presented to those we serve. If you are interested in a career that will improve public safety by positively changing lives, we encourage you to review the job posting and apply! 

A completed application packet will include:

• A cover letter regarding your interest in this position with our agency
• A detailed resume
• Three professional references

We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, committed to an equitable and inclusive culture that fosters and inspires excellence, while promoting innovation, engagement, and safety, leading to better outcomes for our incarcerated population, our agency, and our community.

As a Project Manager, some of your duties will include: 

• Establishing objectives for the Reentry Division
• Identifying outcomes in support of the agency goals and strategies to achieve the Reentry objective
• Gathering and analyzing data to identify potential opportunities to implement Reentry initiatives
• Identifying and monitoring measures to ensure the division is achieving the expected outcomes
• Developing and overseeing data quality control and assurance, data collection, data analysis, and continuous quality assurance and program improvements with the support of data
• Designing and implementing programs that will enable the organization to achieve its decision objectives
• Planning, developing and administering contingencies for risks and issues
• Conducting research and data analysis 
• Providing executive-level leadership and expertise in the development, implementation, and management of appropriate project management, implementation management, and process improvement tools and methodologies
• Administering Reentry's portfolios and provide direction in the development of project plans, charters, schedules, budgets, and reporting
• Engaging sponsor(s), steering committee(s), and agency stakeholders across authority lines to ensure plans support desired outcomes and are attainable
• Managing expectations and communicate plans actively. Coordinate adequate resource deployment to achieve objectives and outcomes within planned timeframes
• Adjusting plans as needed for capacity. Interact and communicate regularly with executive management

What we need (required qualifications):

• A bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, social science, or a closely related field from a recognized accredited college and/or university whose accreditations are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation

AND

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in continuous improvement, project management, Lean, or equivalent experience facilitating groups to improve an organizations performance

OR

• Associate degree public administration, business administration, social science, or a closely related field from a recognized accredited college and/or university whose accreditations are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

AND

• Seven (7) years of experience in continuous improvement, project management, Lean, or equivalent experience facilitating groups to improve an organizations performance

OR

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

AND

• Nine (9) years of experience in continuous improvement, project management, Lean, or equivalent experience facilitating groups to improve an organizations performance.

In addition to the above education and experience, the below knowledge, skills and/or abilities are required:

• Skilled level project management facilitation experience
• Skilled level of experience in development, coordination, and implementation of large organizations. Ability to analyze information
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively with both employees and managers
• Strong influence, change management, and relationship building skills
• Ability to use technology and computer systems to improve efficiency, accuracy, and quality of work
• Ability to coach and mentor others
• Ability to work in a fast paced and changing environment
• Demonstrated successful experience and professional application in the creation, implementation, and maintenance of databases, and experience with analysis and interpretation if data

What will make your application stand out (preferred qualifications): 

• Project Management Institute, Project Management Certification
• Professional Corrections Experience
• Professional experience creating presentations using PowerPoint, Excel, or other presentation and data software
• Professional experience presenting materials and data to high-level stakeholders and decision-makers utilizing project timelines and data information

Vision: Working together for safer communities.

Mission: Improving public safety by positively changing lives.

Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• This recruitment may be utilized to fill more than one position. 
• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies.   If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

Please note:  Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply. 
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration. 
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position. 
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire.  When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.
• DOC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements for the federal employment eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form. https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
• DOC does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Telework Details

This position may be allocated for telework. Work may be performed from your home or another offsite location within the state of Washington using a reliable internet or cellular hotspot service at that time.  Employees are expected to perform assigned duties in a safe manner, to take proper care all state-issued equipment, and maintain confidentiality of all information in possession while working offsite.  Employees will be required to commute to a Department of Corrections facility or field office as business requires, to potentially include components of the onboarding process. Some offices will have a "drop in" area available, however, a dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided.

What We Offer: 

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation.   Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position)
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

PERS: 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.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email or call us. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service.