Product Owner (MA5)

State of Washington
State of Washington

Product

Thurston County, WA, USA

Posted on Jun 16, 2026

Description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity


At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Administrative Services Department (ASD) is looking for two (2) partners to join their team and bring research, analysis, and leadership experience to their role as Product Owners.

As one of the most visible state agencies and the second-largest revenue generator in Washington State, we engage with over 6 million residents each year and collect nearly $3 billion in taxes and fees. We understand that our services are vital to the daily lives of our customers, enabling them to live, work, drive, and thrive. We take this responsibility to heart and are dedicated to providing equitable and meaningful access to our services for every resident.

If you are a customer-focused analyst with strong product ownership and analytical skills, we invite you to apply!

Duties

As a Product Owner, you will provide expert level consultation and analysis to management, staff, and customers. You will be a trusted advisor to our business areas as you provide education on tools and products. Our Information Services Division (ISD) will rely on you to provide leadership across multiple divisions regarding their work, projects, and products. Using your product owner skills and knowledge, you will be relied upon to ensure decisions align with partner needs, department expectations, and statewide IT policies, standards, and requirements. As a subject matter expert, you will provide research, process management, data analysis, strategic and tactical planning, and process change recommendations for the division.

Some things you will be doing:

  • Develop and maintain product strategies, goals, and roadmaps in partnership with DOL leadership.
  • Building relationships with executive management staff, and stakeholders.
  • Consulting with business stakeholders, training teams, internal staff, and technical teams through document creation, risk assessment, and product function review.
  • Facilitating prioritization efforts of projects, scrum teams, and service requests.
  • Implementing strategic initiatives utilizing performance management data.
  • Participating in Lean events to assist with bridging the business processes and identifying pain points.
  • Developing and delivering complex reports through research and analysis of complex data sets.

Qualifications

What you will bring to the role (Required):

  • Nine (9) years of combined relevant experience and education in two (2) or more of the following areas:
    • Conducting research.
    • Analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
    • Conducting analysis and developing requirements.
    • Leading business projects.
    • Managing business operations.
    • Business policy development.
OR
  • One (1) year as a Management Analyst 4
OR
  • Two (2) years as a Management Analyst 3
AND
  • Experience must include the following:
    • Three (3) years of the following:
      • Gathering and compiling information or statistics into reports, spreadsheets, or other documents for a variety of audiences.
      • Using common product management, collaboration, or reporting tools (Miro, Jira, Azure DevOps, Tableau, or equivalent).
    • Two (2) years of the following:
      • Planning, coordinating, and facilitating groups.
      • Developing business requirements for application systems that align with policy, rules, and laws.
      • Leading business project initiatives using data driven methods to manage projects by focusing on continuously improving business policy, processes, or operations.
    • The ability to:
      • Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors, and decisions.
      • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
      • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
      • Take action to learn and grow.
      • Take action to meet the needs of others.
Experience can be obtained concurrently.
Up to four (4) years of relevant education may substitute year for year for experience.
(Education must be in computer science, information systems, business administration, public administration, or a related field)

What may help set you apart (Preferred):
  • Certification in Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager, Certified Scrum Master (CSM), or a related product management certification.
  • Experience applying product management and Agile principles to deliver enterprise technology solutions.
  • Knowledge of enterprise-scale applications, system integrations, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions, and data interoperability across multiple business systems.
  • Familiarity with statewide IT policies, enterprise architecture standards, cybersecurity requirements, and technology governance practices.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification or experience applying process improvement methodologies.
  • Experience motivating and influencing others without direct authority.
  • Knowledge of legislative and rule development processes, including analyzing policy impacts on technology systems and services.
  • Experience championing continuous process improvements, performance management efforts, and organizational change initiatives.
  • Knowledge of complex cross-divisional technology systems supporting driver, vehicle, business, or professional licensing programs and how those systems interact.
Additional Conditions of employment:
  • This role will require you to work in office at our Olympia, WA location multiple times a month and additional days based on business needs.
  • Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.


DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Kyle Odell.

Supplemental Information

Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!

How to Apply:

  • Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
    • Include Three (3) professional references.
    • Attach a current:
      • Cover Letter
      • Resume
Incomplete applications may disqualify you from eligibility for the position. You must ensure all application areas, including supplemental questions and attachments, are completed in full.

Candidates who are offered a job with DOL must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

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.
We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.
We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference, please notify the Talent Acquisition Team.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.


Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.

The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.

We do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
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