Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06416

Department: Parks and Recreation Commission

Job classification: WMS BAND 3

Posting type: Open

Categories: Legal, Risk Management, Management, Investigative, Parks and Recreation, Organizational Development, Research, Counseling

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
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Job Title: EnterpriseRisk Program Manager (WMS 03)
Location: Lacey, WA
Compensation: The annual range of compensation is between $106,524 - $133,152 depending upon qualifications, although the expected hiring salary will typically be less than the top of the range, to allow for growth and development movement.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is currently seeking an experienced Enterprise Risk Manager. In this role, you will direct agency-wide efforts to identify, assess, and reduce risk in accordance with statute. The Enterprise Risk Manager also provides consultation and recommendations to executive leadership, managers, and other staff about issues relating to risk. This position is responsible for collaborating with executive leadership, managers, attorneys, staff, other agencies, private organizations, and the public to perform the role of this position.

The Enterprise Risk Manager is also responsible for leading agency efforts in resolving tort claims and lawsuits, by working with the Department of Enterprise Services Risk Office and the Attorney General's Office. This position is the agency's designated lead for identifying, coordinating, and implementing agency-wide process efficiencies. This position is responsible for working with leadership and division staff to achieve continuous improvement in work processes to reduce risk and loss.

We are seeking someone who prioritizes collaborative relationship-building, is passionate about making a meaningful impact, is systems focused, and sees the value in turning risk into opportunity. The Business Support Services Division serves internal and external customers through agency core functions that maintain compliance, promote transparency, improve efficiency, and provide business solutions for State Parks. You’ll be joining a collaborative team of professionals who value partnership, innovation, and serving with excellence.

Are you an experienced Risk Program Manager who would like to lead this challenging but interesting work in an organization full of passionate, committed professionals? Consider coming to work for Washington State Parks

Telework: This position is available for hybrid telework or flexible schedule, though frequent on-site attendance is required to meet business needs. The default assigned work location of all Parks positions – both on-site and telework eligible positions – is within the State of Washington.

Examples of duties

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Responsible for successful service delivery and adherence to state law, policies, and procedures. Oversee the establishment of program guidelines and internal procedures, ensuring agency policies and WACs are current and relevant.
• Lead process efficiency efforts to reduce risk across the agency. Provides leadership with strategies and plans to achieve results. Promotes lean philosophy and acts as an advisor and consultant on process efficiency efforts that improve work processes and reduce agency risk.
• Develop risk management program, policies, procedures, and guidelines following the risk management principles in RCW 43.19.760 and Governor's Executive Order 16-06. Ensure compliance with state risk management policy. Provide risk management consultation and professional guidance and training to executive, region, program and other staff in the areas of risk recognition, evaluation measures, loss control activities, litigation strategies, and resolution of all tort claims made against Parks. Travel for investigative, coordination, or training activities as needed.
• Annually, leads agency wide efforts to identify, assess, and develop mitigation strategies on the agency’s Risk Register. Responsible for providing DES Office of Risk Management the updated Risk Register and consulting with them on risk issues.
• Select and purchase commercial insurance policies for exposures not covered by state's self-insurance liability program. This includes exposures for marine vessels (property, liability), aviation (casualty, liability), buildings, furnishings, IT equipment and fine arts (property), employee theft and fraud (fidelity bond).
• Manage financial recovery from insurance carriers/individuals when agency assets (facilities, vehicles, or equipment) have been damaged. Develop and implement methods to review certificates of insurance to verify that insurance of contractors, vendors, lessees, and others meet agency contract specifications.
• Review and analyze tort claims filed against the agency and monitor claim activity, including the defense and settlement of lawsuits, the adequacy of settlement reserves, the findings of investigations, exposures of liability, and to determine any information in agency records that may be applicable to the defense or settlement of a claim or lawsuit. Coordinate litigation discovery responses between Parks staff and the AGO. Propose and implement corrective actions. Develops loss prevention report and serve as the agency's loss prevention appointee under RCW 43.19.782.
• Serve as the agency liaison with the Attorney General's Office and the DES Office of Risk Management to develop negotiation and litigation strategies. Provide oversight of tort claims and resolution of tort claims and resulting lawsuits. Actively participates in case evaluations and negotiates settlements on behalf of the agency for tort liability claims and lawsuits. Monitor expenditures from the state's self-insurance liability account on behalf of the agency.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree* in business, public administration, or related field.
• 3 years’ professional experience in risk management and risk mitigation activities.
• Valid unrestricted with exception of corrective lenses drivers' license and the ability to travel statewide as needed for investigative or training activities.
  

**(Additional professional level experience in risk management and risk mitigation may substitute year for year for education).

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Enterprise Risk Management – Provides strategic direction, executive consultation, and guidance to establish agency-wide risk frameworks, policies, and mitigation registers.
• Legal & Regulatory Compliance – Assures strict adherence to state laws, statutory requirements (RCW), executive orders, and administrative codes (WAC) governing risk and liability.
• Process Efficiency & Risk Reduction – Integrates lean philosophy and strategic planning to consult on and optimize organizational workflows to minimize risk exposure.
• Loss Control & Mitigation Strategy – Designs and deploys operational control mechanisms, safeguarding agency assets and financial systems from severe or frequent losses.
• Financial Risk Financing & Insurance – Evaluates, selects, and manages commercial insurance policies and alternative financing structures to fund claims cost-effectively.
• Contractual Risk Transfer – Analyzes, structures, and enforces contract specifications, certificates of insurance, and indemnity provisions to safely shift liability.
• Litigation & Claim Management – Investigates tort claims, coordinates defense strategies with legal counsel, monitors settlement reserves, and represents the agency in legal proceedings.
• Strategic Communication & Advisory – Delivers professional training, consultative guidance, and data-driven recommendations to executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Interagency Collaboration & Liaison – Builds and manages critical working relationships with external state offices, legal departments, and oversight agencies to resolve disputes.
• Commitment to learning and growth: Experience considering and incorporating new information and different perspective; and practicing self-awareness by reflecting on personal strengths, growth areas, and biases.
• Takes action to meet the needs of others: Experience adapting communication and approaches to different communities and individuals, welcoming and valuing different identities and perspectives and experience increasing access, opportunities, and positive outcomes for others.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris doctorate or master’s degree in business or public administration, or related field.
• Professional designation as a Risk Manager.
• Certified in Six Sigma Black Belt.
• Knowledge of state tort law and judicial practices, including participating in the settlement of claims against public entities in Washington.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Monday- Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm, hybrid remote or flextime as agreed by the supervisor. This position requires occasional travel as needed to accomplish assignments.

This position will have access to legal and law enforcement programs which require a criminal background check of the selected candidate prior to hire.

HOW TO APPLY

Only candidates who reflect the minimum qualifications on their NEOGOV profile will be considered. Failure to follow the application instructions below may lead to disqualification. To apply for this position, you will need to complete your profile which includes three professional references and attach:

• Letter of Interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement.
• Current resume.

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
• For more information on Veteran's Preference and instructions on how to check your eligibility, click here

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers to the application questions. Answers will be verified, and documentation may be required. Responses not supported in your application will disqualify you for consideration of employment from this recruitment.

Supplemental information

WHO WE ARE:
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages one of the largest, most diverse and most beautiful park systems in the country. With more than 120,000 acres, the system includes 125 developed parks, including 19 marine parks, 11 historical parks, 35 heritage sites, 13 interpretive centers and approximately 500 miles of long-distance recreation trails. And the agency is staffed with nearly 1000 employees (during peak season - summers), who are some of the most passionate employees you'll find anywhere – from law enforcement park rangers, park managers, and field staff who take care of our parks (construction, maintenance, customer service, to planners, engineers, managers, administrative professionals and central support staff. We love caring for Washington's most treasured lands, waters, and historic places; connecting all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage; and providing memorable recreational and educational experiences. For more information on Washington State Parks, click here

Diversity Policy Statement

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to build a workplace culture that is welcoming and inclusive in which all employees feel respected and empowered to bring their unique ideas to the agency. At State Parks, we believe that embracing diverse backgrounds and experiences is essential to growing a strong workforce. We encourage applicants underrepresented in natural resources and outdoor recreation fields to apply, including but not limited to women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, persons over 40 years of age, and individuals who identify as a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resources office at (360) 902-8565. 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.

For information about this recruitment or Parks' hiring process, please contact Wendy Vandel at Wendy.vandel@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8688.

For information about the technical aspects of the position, please contact Natasha James at Natasha.james@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8530.

All applicants with a

All applicants with a legal right to work in the United States are encouraged to apply.