Employment Development Supervisor (WSS6): WorkSource Pierce

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a collaborative, people-centered leader to serve as an Employment Development Supervisor (WSS6) at the Pierce County WorkSource office in Tacoma.

The ideal Employment Development Supervisor is an experienced leader who excels in guiding teams through operational change, strengthening program performance, and ensuring consistent, equity-aligned service delivery. They demonstrate strong advisory skills, sound judgement, shared leadership, and the ability to support staff in delivering high-quality workforce services grounded in equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

This candidate is collaborative, adaptable, and committed to advancing the agency’s mission. They understand integrated service delivery and are skilled at building an engaged work environment that supports both staff and customers. Their leadership ensures people receive the support they need to secure meaningful employment and helps businesses connect with job-ready talent.

About the Workforce Services Division:

Workforce Services Division (WSD) is made up of three Lines of Business: WorkSource, Central Operations System Support, and Washington Service Corps (WSC). WSD administers the Labor Exchange (LEX), Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), Veterans Services, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), and WorkFirst programs for job seekers and employers in Washington and provides job seekers with referrals to partners providing Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult, youth, and dislocated worker training and support services.

As an Employment Development Supervisor (WSS6), you will manage daily operations, guide staff development, and coordinate with internal and external partners to ensure integrated, customer-focused service delivery. You will oversee program performance, budgets, and compliance; build relationships with businesses and community organizations; and represent ESD within the workforce system. This position requires strong judgment, adaptability, and the ability to lead teams in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This position is based in Pierce County at the WorkSource Pierce office and requires in-person attendance. This position will be eligible for at least 1 day of telework per week after training.

Some of what you will do:

• Plan, schedule, assign and direct daily work activities; guide, coach, mentor, and support staff across various programs and services; provide and/or authorize staff training, professional development, and career growth opportunities.
• Establish measurable staff performance expectations; conduct monitoring & evaluations; provide ongoing feedback; document performance; apply corrective or disciplinary actions as needed.
• Follow collective bargaining agreements and manage personnel functions in accordance with agency policies.
• Communicate policy and procedural changes, ensure staff readiness; Set expectations, reinforce established processes, and ensure staff understand and carry out organizational direction with consistency and professionalism; design and deliver related training.
• Address personnel issues, complaints, and disputes; negotiate and resolve conflicts; provide reasonable accommodation.
• Lead and participate in recruitment and hiring processes; make hiring recommendations; maintain accurate position descriptions.
• Oversee time and attendance reporting; review and approve or deny leave requests; monitor leave balances.
• Plan, schedule, and deliver program services and activities; apply continuous quality improvement processes to meet evolving customer, agency, and system needs; adjust service delivery based on customer feedback and performance data; resolve customer issues and complaints.

To request a detailed position description, click here.

Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:

• Option 1: Two (2) years as a WorkSource Specialist 4 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state’s Employment Security agency.

• Option 2: One (1) year as a WorkSource Specialist 5 within the Employment Security Department, or in an equivalent class with another state’s Employment Security agency.

• Option 3: Three (3) years serving as a lead worker, team lead, or subject matter expert responsible for guiding staff, assigning work, and supporting daily operations, AND managing customer service operations, resolving complaints, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.

• Option 4: A combination of education and/or relevant experience totaling three (3) years.

The required experience includes:

• Staff Supervision, Leadership, and Professional Development: Ability to manage workforce personnel, set direction, build trust, motivate staff, and elevate overall team performance through effective supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Operational Oversight Expertise: Ability to manage day-to-day workforce services.
• Regulatory Compliance Expertise: Ability to assess and enforce workforce policies.
• Performance Management Expertise: Ability to establish and track workforce program goals.
• Interagency Collaboration Expertise: Ability to foster partnerships across workforce programs.
• Process Improvement Knowledge: Proficiency in enhancing employment service delivery.
• Budget Oversight and Financial Management Expertise: Ability to track workforce expenses and approve purchases.

Required equity competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able to pass an Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Paid Family Medical and Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.

Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review. Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete. Why work with us? Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others, and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.

Opportunity for All

We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Lydia White or at 360-819-6996 or the Talent Acquisition Team, prior to the position closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact [email protected] or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.

This recruitment may be used to fill additional agency-wide positions in accordance with Article 4 of the WFSE Collective Bargaining Agreement.

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