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Description

Agency Risk Manager (WMS 2)

At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places. Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce, and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let’s build what’s next, together.

This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer. Alongside the Human Resources Division, the Financial Services Division, and the Contracts and Compliance Division, collectively constituting the Office of Operations.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Agency Risk Manager (ARM) serves as the agency Subject Matter Expert (SME) regarding agency risk and risk mitigation.

The Commerce ARM is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing enterprise-wide risk management strategies to safeguard agency operations, assets, and personnel. This role ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, manages risk financing programs, and coordinates loss prevention initiatives in coordination with agency leadership. The position serves as an advisor on risk-related matters, including public disclosure, data privacy, emergency preparedness, and litigation management.

As the agency risk management and safety SME, this position represents the agency in statewide initiatives such as interagency committees and workgroups and must understand the requirements governing Commerce’s activities and authority to effectively implement various business processes that contribute to risk mitigation and minimize non-compliance with applicable regulations. The primary areas of focus of this role include:

• Agency risk mitigation and support
• Emergency preparedness and safety compliance
• Training and technical assistance
• COOP and emergency management

This position is responsible for providing expert-level advice and guidance to agency leadership, other managers, and program level staff which enables them to make critical decisions in performing their duties, reducing the risk to the agency. This position manages the work of professional staff responsible for related support service work at all organizational levels.

The ARM provides oversight and leads the establishment of standard processes and performance measures across the agency. This position also collaborates with other SMEs to establish policies, procedures, and practices to identify and manage relevant risks. Through engagement, modeling of best practices, and facilitating connections, the ARM contributes to culture building and develops effective working relationships among division leaders and teams.

This position must be based in our Seattle or Olympia offices.

Duties

This position is accountable for providing expert-level, reliable, and professionally sound consultation to executive leaders, managers, supervisors, and other agency employees and providing key deliverables in the following areas:

• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM): Implement and maintain a comprehensive ERM framework and risk registry aligned with agency strategic objectives and state mandates (Executive Order 16-06, RCW 43.19.781). This includes but is not limited to educating agency staff on ERM principles, identifying programmatic and operational risks that could impair the agency’s ability to meet its objectives, and prioritizing and mitigating those risks to ensure compliance with Washington Executive Order 16-06.
• Loss Prevention & Safety: Develop and administer programs to reduce incidents and losses, including safety training, emergency operations planning, and compliance with WAC 296-800-130. This includes the development of reports, templates, guidance messages, trainings, briefing memos (verbal and written), and other materials compliant with complex state, federal, and third-party legal requirements, aligning with agency objectives and articulating and mitigating adverse risk using plain talk.
• Risk Financing & Insurance: Manage self-insurance programs, risk pools, and insurance coverage for property, liability, and health benefits. Track premiums and certificates of insurance. Manage compliance and other statutory requirements on behalf of Commerce.
• Compliance & Legal: Receive, monitor, and advise on tort claims and litigation responses, as requested. Coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office and DES Risk Management on tort claims and lawsuits. Support existing SMEs on regulatory changes to public disclosure and privacy compliance.
• Emergency Preparedness: Develops and integrates the Commerce Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), and annual tabletop exercises (TTX), in coordination with agency emergency response programs and staff.
• Incident Reporting: Monitor and analyze agency incident reports, identify trends, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Advisory & Coordination: Brief executives and department heads on risk issues. Serve as liaison to interagency safety and security committees (SAL, WISC).
• Training & Awareness: Develop and deliver risk management training, including but not limited to First Aid/AED/CPR programs and emergency notification system readiness.
• Data & Technology: Maintain risk dashboards (e.g., Origami, Monday.com) for tracking insurance claims, litigation, and operational risks.

This position collaborates with executives, managers, supervisors, and employees and supports agency-wide strategic efforts regarding risk management support operations. Often working with the Department of Enterprise Services, assigned Assistant Attorney General, Military Department, Executive Ethics Board, and other external entities, this position supports agency-wide strategic efforts regarding risk management practices, compliance, interpretation, and implementation of policy and procedures impacting Commerce business statewide.

This position serves as the State Agency Liaison (SAL) to the Washington Military Department (MIL). The ARM also serves as the agency’s point of contact for the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and other state agencies for all emergency management issues.

Serves as Chair of the agency Safety Committee which provides leadership, guidance, and technical expertise to agency staff at all levels on the interpretation and application of safety-related rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Ensures the agency’s required safety plan is updated as needed.

Represents Commerce on the Interagency Continuity of Operations Planners (ICOOP) committee, which provides leadership and guidance for interagency coordination, prioritization of COOP by state agencies, and adherence to federal, state, and industry standards. Participates in other committees and workgroups as assigned.

In partnership with agency leaders, staff, the ARM manages agency risk management and safety policies and procedures. Conducting policy, procedure, and template document maintenance as needed and in partnership with agency staff and/or assigned AAGs.

This position advises agency staff on matters of safety requirements and conducting emergency drills in alignment with state and federal laws, rules and regulations, and strategies for maintaining robust compliance while balancing unique business objectives. This position reports on agency risk management activity including practices, emergent issues, and/or general performance matters using the best information available.

This position reviews and processes accident/injury reports and incident reports and conducts incident reviews for corrective or preventive actions and recommends solutions for controlling accidents and injuries. Provides guidance to staff and managers on accident reporting and prevention. Responds to and manages security and emergency incidents during business and non-business hours.

Responds to notifications of trouble or problems in Commerce buildings, such as power interruptions and inclement weather that may affect staff safety.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

Nine years of professional experience and/or post-secondary education as described below:

• Experience includes:

• performing risk and emergency management work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes two or more of the following:

• Professional and practical experience in emergency management and continuity of operations planning.

• Professional and practical experience in enterprise risk management, analysis, and planning.
• Professional and practical experience in safety operations practices, principles, and planning.

• Professional experience in managing large agency tort claims and other litigation filings.

• Education

  involving major study in risk and emergency management, public safety, public administration, statistics, law, or a closely related field.

• Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience

• 8 years of experience and 1 year of education
• 7 years of experience and 2 years of education
• 6 years of experience and 3 years of education
• 5 years of experience and 4 years of education
• 4 years of experience and 5 years of education
• 3 years of experience and 6 years of education

Required Position Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of regulations related to risk management, emergency management, and safety applicable to a state agency
• Strong understanding of ERM principles and state risk management policies.
• Knowledge of liability, sovereign immunity, tort law, and public disclosure regulations.
• Analytical and data interpretation skills for trend analysis and risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage confidential information and coordinate across multiple agencies.
• Advanced knowledge of the legislative process and federal and state government structure
• Advanced knowledge of state and national risk management, emergency management, and safety standards and best practices
• Ability to lead and oversee major government planning and training actions
• Ability to develop and manage agency-wide policies and procedures
• Ability to maintain a calm and professional demeanor in all circumstances

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Master’s degree in risk management or closely related field
• Relevant experience in a large government agency
• Lived experience navigating systems such as military service, foster care, public assistance or similar
• Professional experience in risk management or loss prevention strategies
• Professional legal experience, preferably in risk management or highly regulated environments.

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: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Supplemental Information

This position must be based in the Seattle or Olympia offices though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

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 careershelp@des.wa.gov.

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 Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. 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.