Deputy Director (WMS BAND 2)

Salary: $130,000.00 - $134,000.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-BRPELS-002
Department: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
Opening Date: 10/23/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
Deputy Director
WMS BAND 2
This job announcement is being reposted with updated requirements. If you have previously applied, no further action is necessary as your application will be reviewed and considered under the modified job requirements.

The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. Anticipated starting date for this position is December 2026.

Note: Standard business hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. A flexible work schedule may be considered at the incumbent's request, subject to supervisory approval.

About this Opportunity:
This position reports directly to the Director and is the second in line of agency leadership. In the absence of the Director, the Deputy Director (DD) will perform all Director duties including, but not limited to, managing Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Under the authority and direction of the Director the DD will support the management of the administrative functions of the agency. All agency/board staff, except for the Executive Assistant and Communication Manager, will report directly to the DD. The incumbent will be part of the executive leadership of the Agency and be a significant influence on long term planning and fiscal goal setting and tracking agency performance measures as well general functions of the BRPELS mission. The results of the incumbent's responsibilities have a statewide significance and will be a national level influence for the professions. This position requires a diplomatic, professionally mature, and trade knowledgeable professional to promote innovation and licensee engagement to keep our programs current, the impacts for success are an increase in the level of professionalism and ethics within the professions.

This position is directly engaged with other agencies and the public in developing State and National professional regulations, rules and policies within the regulated professions. The position is an integral member of the executive management team which develops and implements agency-wide policies and practices. Accordingly, this position has direct internal and external policy-setting impact.
In concurrence with the Director this position directly develops and implements the applications, development, and determination of the agencies administrative, fiscal, and programmatic policies, guidelines, and implementing procedures.
The budgetary responsibility of the Deputy Director role is to assist in the development of roughly one-third of the annual expenditure budget of $1,600,000 and staff responsible for 95% of the agency's operating revenue stream. Other financial influences include help in determining recommendations of fee and fine changes.

This position requires expert knowledge and experiences only obtainable by a Professional Licensee. The policy and rule changes developed thru the authority of this position effect and clarify the practice and regulatory requirements for the professions. Thus, the recommendations have significant impact on the agency mission and operational effectiveness. Significant risk is involved in decisions, which have statewide effects to the health safety and welfare of the public, and protection of the environment. Therefore, the position requires a professionally licensee's analysis, of complex, unknown and unexplored areas, and a subject matter expert's wisdom and knowledge to determine the risks, benefits, and direct a holistic and equitable decision.
This position will represent BRPELS on national licensing and professional committees and is an ambassador to the public representing the professions we regulate.

The Deputy Director manages seven full-time (FTE) direct reports:
1 - Investigator
1 - Regulatory Program Manager
1- Internal Control Manager
4- Licensing Staff

To learn more about this opportunity email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan via and request the full job description.
Duties

Duties associated with this position include:

• In the absence, or inability, of the Director to fulfill the Director's responsibilities.
• Develops and executes proactive alternate methods of gaining compliance of the Registrants to ethical professional standards, and Statues/Rules governing the Professions (RCW 18.43, 18.210. 18.235, 58.09 and WAC 196, 246-272a, 332-120, 332-130).
• Serves as the case investigation program manager (which in part may be delegated to staff) working/coordinating with the Board assigned Case Manager, BRPELS compliance and investigations manager, and the Assistant Attorney General's office to plan and execute the investigation and compliance plan.
• Participate, using expert technical knowledge of Washington State Professional Engineer laws, rules, and standard of practice, in the complaint investigation processes.
• Develops and oversees the Board's Internal Control program using Lean Methods.
• Oversees and manages the administrative, credentialing, and disciplinary action monitoring responsibilities of the agency.
• Directs and evaluates performance of supervised staff and contracted employees in fulfilling the vision of the Director and meeting the Board's regulatory and consumer protection mandates. Partner with staff on professional development goals and objectives and develop training plans for each, within allotted and available budgets.
• In partnership with the agency EA be responsible for high quality and cost-effective operations on a daily and long-term basis.
• Provides professional advice and makes independent decisions which appropriately balance organizational risk and opportunity.
• In close coordination with board members, works as the point person with associations, business, and other stakeholders in defining and modifying rules and policies.
• Initiate corrective steps to resolve internal conflicts in a timely manner.
• With a high level of diplomacy, able to resolve external conflicts to protect the public, profession, and agency.
• Participates in outreach to national and statewide professional associations and organizations
  which include giving presentations in-person and/or virtually.
• Develop methods to obtain and use data to make informed decisions and manage business strategy in the near and long term.
• Support and provide counsel to the Director on matters of agency policy.
• Exercise independent judgment within legal and agency HR policy frameworks related to interviewing, hiring, training, mentoring, recognizing, and developing personnel.
• Demonstrate ability to hold staff accountable, including giving clear direction, defined objectives, and managing performance based on agency policy and HR best practices.
• Manage staff schedules, including telecommuting, in a manner that ensures a balance between staff flexibility and desired work outcome.
• Maintain a Supervisor File and document all key interactions, reviews, issues, etc.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or land surveying or equivalent experience.
• Five (5) years of executive leadership or business management experience.

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of Engineers, Land Surveyors, On-Site Wastewater, licensing acts and Board rules.
• Familiarity with the Public Records Act, including the risks associated with failure to comply with requests for public records disclosure.
• Knowledge and successful application of contemporary management theory and practices as well as demonstrated ability to promote a positive work environment.
• Five years of experience working with government organization and administrative procedures; government functions; office methods and procedures; research and data collection; departmental policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and in speech; proofreading skills; ability to obtain the cooperation of other agencies and other internal staff sections; ability to work effectively with others.

Key Competencies Expected:

• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Believes that the results achieved directly result from his/her personal decisions and actions. Acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Doesn't make excuses for errors or problems but learns from his/her mistakes.
• Teamwork - Fulfills commitments to other team members. Promotes a friendly climate, good morale, and cooperation among team members. Puts team success ahead of individual success. Makes sure that the practical needs of the team are met. Protects and promotes the agency's reputation with outsiders. Takes charge when it is necessary to facilitate an action or decision. Creates a feeling of belonging on the team.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Meets changing conditions and situations in work responsibilities. Accepts constructive criticism and suggestions and uses them to advantage. Deals with anger, frustration and disappointment in a mature manner. Maintains objectivity in conflict situations and seeks acceptable solutions.
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacts with Board Members, management, staff, public and others in a positive manner. Demonstrates understanding that individuals have different perspectives and communication styles. Practices active listening. Is open and honest. Treats others with respect, kindness and consideration.
• Productivity - Produces quality, desired results in an efficient manner. Manages resources efficiently. Is self-motivated.
• Dependability - Follows through on assignments and provides completed work.
• Confidentiality - Maintains the confidentiality of ongoing enforcement actions and follows the proper public disclosure process when these requests are made.
• Organizational Skills - Has good organizational skills and tracks work needed, responses due, keeps databases up to date and maintains files so that others can locate them when needed.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• All the above PLUS 4-years in government organization in management or supervisory professional position.
• Current Washington State Professional Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer license.
  Or
• Current Professional Land Surveyor or Professional Engineer license in a jurisdiction recognized by the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors (NCEES).
  Or
• Certified as a Washington State Engineer-In-Training or Land Surveyor-In-Training and 4 years of experience after certification in engineering or land surveying.
  OR
• Ten years of experience in engineering or land surveying that meet requirements for licensure accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve.

Equity Competencies

• Take action to learn and grow.
• Take action to meet the needs of others.

Supplemental Information

Conditions of Employment

How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest that describes why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

Please Note: 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. A resume will not be substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.