Lean Manufacturing Specialist jobs in Washington

Be valued. Be challenged. Build a career. 

At the State Auditor’s Office, we are working together to make a real difference in how government operates. We are always looking for new ideas to ensure our work provides value to the clients we serve, and we take pride in the 

services we perform for the governments and for the people of Washington. 

We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace environment that is collaborative and supports all 

employees as we effectively carry out the agency’s mission. This includes ensuring inclusion and equity throughout the agency, while embracing the individual differences of our employees and clients. We believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds are fundamental to doing our best work. 

With 15 offices statewide, 400 positions and important work to do, we always welcome talented people to join our 

team.

Get to know us! We share more about who we are and what we do on social media, using the hashtag #WeAreSAO and on our website at: Current Openings and Internships - Office of the Washington State Auditor. 

A job and benefits that support a healthy work/life balance. 

The Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) prides itself in offering flexible schedules and a hybrid work 

environment that helps our staff balance work and life. We also offer a comprehensive package of health and wellness benefits to employees, including: 

•  Full benefits package. Click here to learn more.  
•  Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. 
•  Educational and professional certification reimbursements 
•  An agency-wide commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and respect in the workplace. 

Embedded in SAO's Center for Government Innovation, the Lean Specialist will help local governments implement 

process improvement initiatives by facilitating kaizen workshops and providing tools, training and resources. Specifically, the Lean Specialist: 

•  Uses Lean and associated improvement methodologies to plan and facilitate process improvement and performance management initiatives through in-person and/or virtual events tailored to each local government's needs; delivers trainings and provides Lean tools and techniques; and provides post-event follow-up assistance, as requested. 
• Develops resources, training, instructional materials, event proposals and outcome summaries to meet ongoing 

client needs. 

• Prepares and provides presentations for conference sessions and other organizational trainings as requested based on project prioritization. 
• Provides training, facilitation and technical support to SAO's internal teams, as requested. 

DUTIES

Training Delivery and Process Improvement Facilitation 

•  Delivers training on the application of Lean, Lean Six Sigma, and performance management to local governments virtually or in-person at their offices. This will involve some overnight travel. Trainings will be tailored to specific circumstances and could follow a hybrid model. 
• Provides guidance to process improvement teams and promotes a culture of sustainable continuous 

improvement. 

• Facilitates kaizen workshops tailored to each local government's needs. 
• Provides conference and association presentations about Lean, Lean Six Sigma, performance management and Center services. 
• Develops and implements process improvement proposals and initiatives. 

Tool and Resource Development  

• Provides tools and resources to local government entities to support improvement and change initiatives. 
• Develops resources, presentations and instructional materials for service delivery and educational purposes and updates/maintains as necessary. 
• Establishes a library of resources in electronic format to be made easily available to clients.  
• Assist in the development of online articles, case studies and e-Learnings as requested. 

Communications 

•  Documents facilitation and training steps taken, work performed, and outcomes achieved by recording information about contacts with local governments, using the Center's prescribed templates and processes. 
• Responds with professionalism to client inquiries about Lean services and resources to determine each potential client's unique needs.  
• Engages local government officials and staff in dialogue regarding Lean strategies and methods to overcome known and perceived barriers. 

Administration 

• Assists in discussions about the strategic direction of Lean services within the Center and follows through to implement defined objectives and tactics. 
• Prepares and makes presentations at internal meetings as approved. 
• Comply with current SAO policies and procedures. 
• Adheres to current Center processes and practices. 
• Researches inquiries and provides services as assigned. 
• Regularly coordinates documentation and scheduling of client services and other deliverables with the Center's Program Coordinator. 
• Performs other general administrative and job duties assigned by the Center's manager. 
  

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience 

• A bachelor's degree with an emphasis in business, public administration, public policy, political science, statistics, economics law, social science or other related field. 
• Certification in Lean (Gold or Silver) or Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt or Master Black Belt) or any combination of work experience, training and education that provides the skills to perform the work. 
•  At least three to five years of experience (preferably with local or state governments) applying Lean or, Lean Six Sigma, including standards, principles, techniques and tools. 
• Experience developing and delivering classroom and virtual training and presentation on the application of Lean 

or Lean Six Sigma. 

COMPETENCIES

Specialty Expertise: Demonstrates ability to effectively guide process improvement teams and encourage ongoing promotion of a culture of continuous improvement; works with local government senior executives and line staff to achieve tangible results; effectively facilitates events virtually and in-person; and works with diverse groups to lead them to consensus. 

Workload Management: Demonstrates ability to set and keep timelines or targets; and handles competing priorities and urgent situations appropriately, adjusting priorities when appropriate. 

Judgment: Demonstrates ability to effectively solicit input and perform research as appropriate to assess and understand issues; and evaluates information to form accurate conclusions and make decisions. 

Effective Communication: Demonstrates ability to make effective use of technical and interpersonal communications skills necessary to communicate with local governments, stakeholders, service partners, citizens, staff and peers with tact and professionalism; and proactively communicates across internal teams and the agency in a manner that supports effective operations and builds positive relationships. 

Initiative: Demonstrates ability to proactively establish goals and work plans in accordance with agency directions and objectives; and consistently handles issues that come to their attention in a timely and efficient 

manner. 

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates ability to take responsibility for influencing and embedding ethical practices in the organization including preventing and managing breaches of ethical conduct; models professionalism and exemplary leadership behaviors; demonstrates high, uncompromising ethical standards of personal conduct; acts with integrity and honesty; and maintains confidentiality. 

Accountability: Demonstrates ability to hold self and others accountable for the quality and timeliness of work; consistently makes the best use of team's available time and resources; earns the public trust through their actions and strives to do their best work always. 

Effecting Change: Demonstrates a self-awareness of own style of implementing change; effective implementation of a transition process; fosters a commitment to change through leadership and modeling of appropriate and positive reactions to change; anticipates and responds proactively to the implications of change; and encourages new ideas and innovations. 

Respect: Demonstrates a respect for public service and open government; fosters an inclusive and constructive work environment where all people are treated with dignity and respect; demonstrates pride in the mission of the agency and supports co-workers; and focuses on getting the job done while being courteous and respecting others, even when there are differences of opinion, outlooks beliefs, or values. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Application Process: 

To be considered, applicants must submit a completed application, resume, and letter of interest that details how you meet the required education and experience that is listed above. Incomplete responses may result in disqualification of your application.

Degrees awarded outside the United States must include a credential evaluation report.

If you are a US Veteran and would like to apply for Veteran's Preference, attach a copy of Form DD214 military record showing honorable discharge.

Questions may be directed to the applications unit at applicationsunit@sao.wa.gov. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills and ideas in order to carry out the agency’s mission today and in the future. This includes ensuring every member of our team feels valued and supported. We encourage you to join us.

The Office of the Washington State Auditor is an equal opportunity employer.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance in the application or testing process, or who need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (564) 999-0947 or via the telecommunications relay service by dialing 7-1-1.