Weights and Measures Program Manager

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy 
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
 
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page. 

The Opportunity:

The WSDA Weights and Measures Program promotes marketplace equity in commercial transactions through testing and inspecting commercial devices, price verification, package inspection, public education, monitoring fuel quality, and investigating complaints. In addition, this regulatory program maintains the standards for mass, volume, and length in order to provide reliable measurement services for government and industry.

The Weights and Measures Program Manager is responsible for the day to day operation and administration of the Weights and Measures Program. A successful candidate will interpret laws and regulations and assist in the development of agency policies associated with regulating the use, technical requirements and accuracy of all commercial weighing, measuring, and counting devices, including gas pumps, grocery store scale systems, price scanners, vehicle-tank meters and liquid petroleum gas measuring devices. This position coaches and mentors geographically dispersed staff to include supervising the state metrology laboratory in providing calibration services to businesses, laboratories, and government entities. To be successful in this position, you will need outstanding skills working with people and developing relationships both internally and externally. This position will consistently communicates with stakeholder advisory groups and other ad hoc groups to understand their needs, concerns and activities. 

Some of the various responsibilities within this role: 
 

• Interpret and assist in developing agency policy associated with:
  • Regulating commerce related to methods of sale of commodities, accuracy and suitability of weighing and measuring devices, packaging and labeling of products offered for sale, following National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ASTM, and EPA standards and regulations.
  • Licensing public weighmasters, service agents and service persons.
  • Setting requirements, testing and enforcing motor fuel and alternative fuel quality standards, following National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ASTM, and EPA standards and regulations.
  • Setting licensing and registration fees and service fees by rule.
  • Determining enforcement actions including recommendations for civil penalties.
  • Initiating and formulating agency decision packages and presenting these to the Assistant Director, Agency Policy Staff, Deputy Director or Director for consideration.
• Oversee the maintenance and replacement of specialized test equipment such as prover trailers, heavy capacity trucks, octane analyzers and laboratory balances.
• Develop, monitor and manage the programs' budgets.
• Develop and maintain the programs' strategic plans and performance measures to guide program strategic direction and operations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state, and federal entities, and industry associations.
• Develop proposals for statutory changes, administrative rule amendments and fee increases, including present reports and testimony to legislative committees.
• Coach and mentor geographically dispersed staff.

Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelors Degree including course work and continuing professional education in public administration, business administration or closely allied field.

AND

Five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in a large organization management.

Equivalent professional experience may substitute year for year for education
 

General knowledge of general science, management, supervision, contracts and general business law.
 Examples:

• Ability to manage budgets, contracts, personnel, regulatory and legal issues.
• Capable of organizing and delivering results across multiple tasks and assignments.
• Show judgment that combines analysis, experience, agency priorities and legal obligations before acting.
• Ability to comprehend and apply scientific, technical and legal principles to program strategies and operations.

Leadership, management and supervisory capabilities through:

• Provide coaching, mentoring and recognition to staff and others within their sphere of influence.
• Develop and train staff to meet existing and future requirements.

Strategy and vision, taking into account the political and economic perspectives.

• Considers the input of program staff, agency leaders and stakeholders in determining actions and direction.
• Legislative bill and fiscal analysis, and policy development.
• Ability to create and monitor performance measurements based on data.

Excellent communication skills including:

• Use appropriate methods to interact with diverse cultural, racial and professional backgrounds.
• Ability to set a tone for safe, open communication within the organization.
• Ability to address a variety of audiences including the public, government officials, the legislature and the media.

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Knowledge of the national and state regulatory environment.
• Experience supervising office and field staff.
• Knowledge of weights and measures regulations, metrology, fuel quality standards, agricultural product distribution and processing, and regulatory enforcement processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with groups having conflicting interests.

Employee Benefits:

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:    

· Current resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

· Three professional references 

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.  Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.