Job Description

Description

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.
Help protect the consumers of Washington state!
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking an Executive Director. The UTC mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, available, reliable and fairly priced. The Executive Director is the commission's chief operating officer and is responsible for management oversight, administration and the day-to-day operations of the agency.

The UTC protects consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable.

The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington.

At the UTC, we recognize that our employees are the key to the agency's success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and offers continued learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about benefits or working at UTC, please visit our .

The UTC is a great place to work and has implemented several initiatives that create a great working environment, including:

• We value diverse perspectives and employ people of all backgrounds. We are actively involved in promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion within the UTC by way of a cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing UTC values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
• We have modernized our workplace with workspaces that promote creative thought, innovation, and collaboration among co-workers, and improved building security and employee safety. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UTC has supported extensive mobile work arrangements across the agency.
• We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties).
• We have a formal mentoring program to provide and encourage employee growth and development, while also promoting informal mentoring relationships and sharing of knowledge across the commission.
• We have an engaging wellness program which focuses on all nine elements of wellness: spiritual, physical, social, environmental, occupational, emotional, intellectual, nutritional, and financial. We also have on-site shower rooms/lockers at our headquarters with proximity to several fitness centers in the area.
• We have a comprehensive continuous improvement program focused on using Lean tools and principles to solve problems and continuously improve work processes.

UTC Values:

• Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons- trusting others to do the same.
• Accountability - With courage, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for exhibiting respect, professionalism, and integrity.

For more information about the UTC, see our website - or visit and .

Duties

.A little about the Executive Director Opportunity

This position is responsible for the commission's day-to-day operations and achievement of operational and strategic objectives. This position also serves as the Commission's Secretary and acts for the commission in various pre-determined situations such as reviewing and signing orders and official correspondence.

What you will be doing:

Leads and participates with the commissioners and senior agency leaders in developing agency strategic goals and legislative initiatives. Leads performance management activities to meet the goals and objectives.

Supervises the members of the commission's senior leadership team, which includes agency division directors, and leads the extended leadership team, which includes agency team leaders with management responsibilities. Serves as the appointing authority for the commission as well as manages the agency operating budget.

In consultation with the commissioners, represents the commission with industry groups, other state and federal agencies, and the Governor's office.

Exercises decision-making authority on certain regulatory matters delegated by the commission, including matters related to licensing, energy, telecommunications, water, solid waste hauling, marine pilotage, transportation safety, pipeline safety, Grade Crossing Protection Fund grants, household goods movers, airport shuttle service, and rail safety.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following required qualifications:

A bachelor's degree or higher with major study in business administration, political science, law, public administration, finance or related discipline.

A minimum of five years of experience as a mid-level or higher manager, including:

• Leading teams with a collaborative leadership style.
• Linking management and administrative efforts to improving program performance.
• Taking risks and experimenting in an effort to improve service to customers.

Exceptional interpersonal and communications skills; able to adapt communications to technical, professional, and managerial audiences; negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Professional work experience characterized by increasingly responsible positions.

Demonstrated ability to lead positive organizational change.

Must develop and maintain familiarity with the broad and diverse subject matters involved in all industries the commission regulates.

Competencies

• Advocates and models our culture and values?
• Cultivates a shared, strategic vision for equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)?
• Fosters learning?
• Makes the commission more accessible to underrepresented and marginalized communities?
• Leads and navigates change?
• Embraces inclusion in decision making?

Desired Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience working with operational principles and rules related to state government agencies including requirements of the Open Public Meetings, Administrative Procedure and Public Records laws, and various administrative rules, including those related to personnel, contracting, purchasing and ethical conduct.

Knowledge of commission goals, objectives, and strategies, as well as the collective bargaining agreement; economic and safety regulatory theory and practice related to regulated utility and transportation companies, including energy, telecommunication, solid waste, water, marine pilotage, household good moving, wastewater, rail and pipeline companies. In addition, relevant federal and state laws, rules, and regulations as well as the requirements of relevant commission orders; the commission's operating environment and factors affecting the industries regulated by the commission; administrative policy, and practice; and models and theories related to organizational performance, team leadership, and continuous improvement.

Note: If you think you do not qualify, please consider again. Studies

have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they

meet every single qualification. At the Utilities and Transportation Commission,

we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging.

If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with

every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

• Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state.
• The successful incumbent should expect to work from the Commission's offices in Lacey, WA, although virtual work arrangements are possible.

• Occasional travel during and outside normal work hours throughout the state for public meetings or hearings related to commission filings may be required.
• Conflict of Interest: RCW 80.01.020 limits the commission's ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the commission regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company.

• Compliance with the ethics laws (RCW 42.52) is an individual responsibility, which may include disclosure of volunteer work, elected activity, outside employment, or other business activity.
• No employee may engage in any outside employment or business activity that will interfere with the performance of their duties or result in a conflict of interest.
• No employee may engage in any volunteer or elected activity that will interfere with the performance of their duties or result in a conflict of interest.

Application Process:

Initial screening for this opportunity will begin on September 18th, 2023. It is to your advantage to apply prior to this date for initial consideration.

Read the instructions below carefully before following the Apply link above.

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their application to be considered for this position:

• A cover letter which includes how you meet the qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
• A current resume detailing your applicable experience and education.
• Three professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses, including your current or most recent supervisor.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application and other documents requested (e.g., cover letter and resume) for accuracy, spelling, and grammar before submitting.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application in

; completeness of your resume, cover letter, and any other materials submitted as part of the application process. * A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.

Only complete applications will be considered. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. You may be disqualified if your education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

Visit these links to learn more about:
the state of Washington ,
the Olympia area or

The Utilities and Transportation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Washington State