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Agency Public Records Officer (Management Analyst 5)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

The Administrative Services Division (ASD) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Agency Public Records Officer (Management Analyst 5) position. This position is located in our Headquarters office in Lacey, WA.

Are you interested in government transparency and accountability? Do you enjoy teaching and training groups of people? Do you constantly think about efficiency, continuous improvement, and systems design?

The Agency Public Records Officer oversees the agency's compliance with the Public Records Act (PRA). This position researches and analyzes PRA legal requirements to develop and refine agency policies and procedures to improve compliance and efficiency. This position performs quality control and compliance auditing of public records responses and works directly with the Attorney General's Office (AGO) to ensure that legal developments are properly disseminated and that adequate PRA training is provided to employees at all levels. The position is responsible for developing and implementing the agency's capacity to search and produce electronic records and advises agency management and executive leadership on the resolution of complex public disclosure policy issues and provides expert consultation on public records requests and projects impacting multiple programs in the agency. 
 
We are looking for applicants who are customer service focused, possess excellent people skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision and the ability to communicate with a diverse audience.
 
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.
 
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
 
Duties

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. 
 
Program Mission: The mission of the Administrative Services Program is to provide quality customer service and asset management to meet the agency's current and future business needs.
 
Some of the key work activities of the Agency Public Records Officer include:
  • Consulting on complex public records requests to identify how they should be assigned within the agency for fulfillment. 
  • Consulting on nuanced legal issues relating to how requests should be processes or PRA exemptions claimed. 
  • Formally and informally train staff and Public Disclosure Coordinators on how to comply with the requirements of the PRA.
  • This position is ultimately responsible for all public disclosure activities agency wide under RCW 42.56.580 and Administrative Policy 20-13.
  • Interpreting and applying the law to best manage risk. Resolving complex operational problems like how to allocate scarce resources to adequately manage agency risk.
  • This position is a great opportunity to take on enterprise wide responsibility and have great influence on how Ecology responds to its various constituents seeking public records.
  • This position also teaches and presents in front of large groups (100+).
  • The ability to be customer service focused and mission driven are necessary to be successful in this role.
 
Note: Must be willing to engage in occasional travel and train groups of people on legal and policy requirements.
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be May 22, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 21, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
 
Bachelor's Degree in business administration, public administration, law, education, or related field and five (5) years of demonstrated professional experience managing and administering public records requests for a governmental agency and experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Conducting research
  • Analyzing policies, laws, rules or regulations
  • Conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  • Leading business projects
  • Business policy development
  • Managing business operations
  • Supervising 
 
Additional qualifying experience may be substituted, year for year, for required education. Additional qualifying education, such as a Master's degree may be substituted, year for year, for required experience.
 
Must be highly organized and have the ability to make quick decisions and provide guidance to Ecology staff statewide using advanced expertise in the interpretation of statutes and regulations.
Must have knowledge and understanding of RCW 42.56 Public Records Act, WAC 173-03 Public Records, and WAC 44-14 Public Records Act – Model Rules

Desired Qualifications: 
  • Two (2) years dedicated experience working with electronic records search and retrieval at the enterprise-level of an organization. 
  • Experience searching for electronic files in various digital media such as email, file servers, and portable storage. 
  • Possess demonstrated working knowledge of the legal requirements relating to litigation discovery and public records disclosure.
  • Knowledge and understanding of RCW 43.21A.160 Department of Ecology – Confidential Business Information.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.

A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
 
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
                                                                             
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
 
Supplemental Information

Application Instructions
 
Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

Other Information

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please send an email to Jason Howell at: Jason.howell@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Jason to inquire about the status of your application.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

The Washington State Department of Ecology 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 process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.