L&I Self-Insurance Policy Operations Manager

L&I Self-Insurance Policy Operations Manager

Salary

$72,420.00 - $132,924.00 Annually

Location

Thurston County - Tumwater, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

WMS 26-16

Department

Dept. of Labor & Industries

Division

Insurance Services - Self Insurance

Opening Date

08/19/2026

Closing Date

8/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

EXTRA Salary Information:WMS/EMS

• The Target Pay Range typically considered for this position is $88,632 -$126,276 (Range of Consideration) annually. The Full Pay Range for this WMS Band is $72,420- $132,924 (Full band range) annually. Compensation decisions are determined using factors such as job-related skills, experience, and education or training. We will consider your individual qualifications, should we make you an offer of employment.

The Department of Labor & Industries is looking for a Policy Operations Manager to lead the strategic and legislative engine of our Self-Insurance Program. Youll drive policy and rule development, guide the programs legislative strategy, and serve as the go-to business analyst during session, translating complex RCWs and WACs into action.

Youll also supervise three high-impact teams: penalty adjudication and billing disputes, presumptive coverage claims (including Radiological Hazardous Waste and PTSD), and our Management Analyst group - ensuring employers and third-party administrators uphold their duty of good faith to Washingtons workers.

If you thrive where policy, data, and people leadership intersect and you want your work to directly shape protections for firefighters, nurses, and workers facing life-altering claims, we want to hear from you!

Duties

• Using technical expertise, develops policy for consideration by executive management and change management best practices, techniques and tools for initiation, planning, execution, controlling and monitoring, communication and key performance metrics for SI oversight and program initiatives. Prepares integrated program roadmaps that identify timing and resource dependencies and coordinates implementation timelines to ensure successful project implementations. Integrates any changes or new deliverables into the overall strategy.

• Manages the supervisor and staff of the penalty unit, including ensuring they are meeting statutory requirement of issuing decision within 30 days of a penalty request; and the program MTA. Sets clear expectations for work quality and provides the tools and training necessary to meet requirements.

• Manages the supervisor and staff of the self-insurance management analysts and the management of the program's performance, research, and data management team. Implements and maintains electronic reporting of data, with systems such as the Self-Insurance Electronic Data Reporting Systems (SIEDRS) and the Medical Bill Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), penalty dashboard, and project management.

• Manages a team of adjudicators responsible for special education of Radiological Hazardous Waste Facility law and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims. Serves as point of contact for our Special Insuring Agreement with federal Department of Energy, and the liaison to the Hanford Workforce Engagement Center (HWEC) and any other employers resulting from the Radiological Hazardous Waste Facility law. Sets clear expectations for work quality and provides the tools and training necessary to meet them.

• Oversees the legislative strategy for the program including policy review, legislative and rule analysis, development of rules, processes, and procedures, and implementation of changes; and connecting these to the strategic direction of the agency, division, and program.

Qualifications

Required

• A bachelors degree or a combination of relevant education and experience

• Two (2) years of project or program management experience in a leadership role;

• Four (4) years of experience with workers or crime victims compensation claims within the State of Washington;

• Four (4) years of experience in the training of external customers, giving presentations to both small and large audiences, and stakeholder groups;

• Abide by L&I Core and Leadership Competencies;

• Knowledge and experience with:

oChange Management - Knowledge and experience in applying advanced principles of change management.

oProject Management - Knowledge and experience in applying advanced principles of project management.

oOperational Management - Knowledge and experience in operations of state government; strategic planning; resource allocation; legislative and rule development systems.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies

• A Professional Certification in change management from a recognized Change Management Program, such as Prosci, utilizing Prosci change management methodology, with emphasis on the Adkar model adopted by L&I. A Professional Certification in project management.
• Working knowledge of federal and state law relative to workers compensation.
• Working knowledge of the Washington State legislative and rule-making processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage for results.
• Excellent communicator both written and verbal.
• Effective at building and maintaining networks of contacts useful in achieving work-related goals.
• Excellent people management skills demonstrated by setting and clarifying expectations and providing feedback and coaching.
• Skilled in using personal computers, software such as MS Word, EXCEL, and L&I related software, and other programs to produce work products that satisfy the demands of the assignment

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee's career. Click on the "Benefits" tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washingtons 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

For this position, telework is permitted full time, permitted part time, not permitted, permitted on occasion, not permitted during training, or dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval). The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater Washington.

Alternative language: The assigned duty station may be in any of our L&I service locations statewide. The incumbent must reside anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington or Idaho/Washington borders.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
• A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
• A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page atHiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted drivers license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.
• Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted by email to schedule a skills assessment. Assessments are proctored remotely via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Did You Know?

Washington is Americas Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washingtons 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I's Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the (Insert Recruiter's name and email here) Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

How did you learn of this employment opportunity?

• WorkSource Center or Website (WorkSourceWA.com)
• L&I Talent Management Consultant
• L&I Employee
• Professional/Personal Network
• Monster
• College/University Website/Career Fair
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Verg
• Craigslist
• Indeed
• Twitter
• Job Fair (Military)
• Career Fair
• EHS Careers
• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
• Radio Advertisement
• Newspaper/Magazine
• L&I Website
• Other

02

If you indicated "Other" please specify where you heard about this position.

03

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an immigration-related employment benefit?

• Yes
• No

04

PLEASE READ THE BELOW AND TYPE YOUR INITIALS IN RESPONSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE STATEMENTS.

• I will NOT attach or place any medical information within the application, resume, or cover letter. If I do, I understand that it will be rejected and I may be provided an opportunity to apply again without including my confidential health information, while the posting is still open and applications are being accepted.
• I will not share my medical information with hiring managers or interview panels.

05

To be considered for this opportunity we require you to attach a resume and cover letter. Have you attached both documents?

• Yes
• No

06

What is your highest level of education?

• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associate of Arts
• Bachelors degree or higher

07

How much experience do you possess with project or program management experience in a leadership role? Where did you earn this experience?

08

How much experience do you possess in the training of external customers, giving presentations to both small and large audiences, and stakeholder groups? Where did you earn this experence?

09

Do you possess 4 years of experience with workers or crime victims compensation claims within the State of Washington? Where did you earn this experience?

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov